(ARA) - Sneezy, Itchy, Watery, Runny, Sniffly, Coughy and Scratchy: These are the telltale symptoms of autumn allergies. Most of the more than 35 million people in the United States who have seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever), recognize their sneezes, watery eyes, runny nose and nasal congestion as their body's reaction to ragweed -- the most common seasonal allergen in the country.

Fall Allergy 101.

Found mostly in the Eastern states and the Midwest, ragweed is a weed that lives only one season but packs quite a punch during its short life -- one plant can produce up to one billion pollen grains. Because it is so small, ragweed pollen can travel far; it has been found in the air 400 miles out to sea and two miles up in the atmosphere. So, with over 17 species of ragweed in North America, that's a lot of ragweed pollen floating in the air come fall.

Ragweed isn't the only culprit causing this fall's attacks. In addition to ragweed, other fall allergens include sagebrush, mugwort, pigweed, tumbleweed and Russian thistle. But not all allergens are seasonal. Millions of Americans suffer from year-round allergens, such as dust mites, pet dander and mold, which can cause as much trouble for some patients as weeds do for others.

But, the sight of the leaves changing colors shouldn't have you reaching for your box of tissues just yet. "I encourage allergic individuals to take the proper medication and make adjustments to their everyday lives so that living with allergies is as comfortable as possible," says Dr. Mary Lasley, pediatric allergist. There are simple ways to minimize your reactions to ragweed and everyday allergens, so that you can enjoy not only fall, but every season of the calendar as well.

A Lesson in Common Sense

As you brace yourself for a round of seasonal allergies, take the time to review some basic but sensible measures you can take to reduce your exposure to fall allergens. According to Dr. Lasley:

- Keep windows closed to prevent pollens and molds from drifting into your home. Air conditioning also can help reduce your pollen exposure.

- See your doctor: Use this fall as an opportunity to learn more about allergies. Take your medications as prescribed by your doctor in the recommended dosage.

- Minimize your early morning activity (between 5 and 10 a.m.) when pollen counts are higher. Stay indoors when pollen counts or humidity is reported to be high.

- Don't hang sheets or clothing out to dry. Pollens and molds may collect on them.

- Keep your home's relative humidity level at or below 50 percent by using heat and/or air conditioning equipment consistently and using a dehumidifier when necessary. This will discourage dust mite and mold growth.

From A to F: What Grade Would Your Housecleaning Routine Receive?

To avoid sniffling through autumn, take a good look at your house and how you maintain it. Take control of your allergic symptoms by observing the following guidelines:

- Carpet and Flooring: Allergens are easily removed from carpet and floors by regular vacuuming with an effective vacuum cleaner. The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) recommends vacuuming floor coverings in the house at least once a week -- high use areas should be vacuumed twice weekly. If you have pets, you may need to vacuum some areas daily.

But, it is important to make sure you use effective equipment. You wouldn't wash your clothes in a machine that dispenses dirty water, so don't use a vacuum cleaner that throws dust back into the air. Use a vacuum with strong suction, adjustable brushes and high-efficiency filtration. Also, change your vacuum's disposable bag regularly (or clean the permanent one) and check for worn belts.

The CRI developed an easy way to ensure that you are purchasing a vacuum cleaner that performs to the industry's highest standards when it introduced the Indoor Air Quality Vacuum Cleaner testing program. In partnership with vacuum cleaner manufacturers, the program helps consumers identify vacuum cleaner models that have been evaluated by an independent testing laboratory and have met the carpet industry's standard for soil removal, dust containment and carpet appearance retention. The CRI "green label" appears on vacuums that meet this standard.

If you have smooth floors, they should be vacuumed, dusted and wet mopped weekly, using clean water and a clean mop. When sweeping, take care not to circulate dust from the floor into the air.

- Family, Living and Dining Rooms: Vacuuming upholstered furniture is just as important as vacuuming every room in the house. Clean hard furniture with a damp cloth. But furniture is not the only place dust accumulates -- remember window treatments, blinds and louvered shutters, windowsills and window frames, ceiling fans, light fixtures and storage units. Make sure you wipe all of these items regularly with a damp cloth to remove dust. Dust also can be minimized by storing books and other knick-knacks in closed cabinets.

- Bedroom: Since most of us spend eight or more hours per day in our bedrooms, it makes sense to maintain these areas of the home to avoid prolonged contact with allergens. Controlling dust in the bedroom is more important than anywhere else in the home. Dust mites, the tiny creatures that thrive in warm, moist surroundings, are more likely to be found in the bedroom than any other room in the house, because they feed on invisible skin flakes in pillows, bedding and upholstery. To minimize mites, encase pillows, mattresses and box springs in "allergen-barrier" covers. Wash bed linens in hot water (at least 130 degrees) weekly to kill dust mites. Comforters, blankets and curtains should be washed often too. Vacuum and dust regularly.

- Kitchen and Bathroom: The wet, warm conditions of these rooms provide the perfect condition for mold and mildew to thrive. Repairing leaks and cleaning kitchens and bathrooms weekly with a disinfectant designed to kill mold and mildew is the best way to combat their growth. In the bathroom, concentrate on cleaning the shower stalls, bathtubs, floors and toilets. Wash bathmats, towels and area rugs weekly to avoid the growth of mold and to remove dust. To avoid attracting insects to the kitchen, clean all grease and food from around the stove daily, seal cracks around cabinets, and store food in closed containers.

Don't let your allergies get the best of you this fall. For more information on carpet and carpet maintenance, call the Carpet and Rug Institute's consumer information line at 1-800-882-8846 or visit their Web site at www.carpet-rug.com. To learn more about allergies and allergy prevention, talk to your doctor.

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.aracontent.com, e-mail: info