The best time to take an antihistamine, which helps block allergic reactions, is before symptoms surface. Just remember that over-the-counter medications can cause sleepiness. So never take one anytime safety requires you to be alert. And ask your allergist about the newer types that cause less drowsiness.

A flickering flame is a sign that soot is being produced. Soot can cause allergies because mites and other allergens cling to it. If you’re allergic, it’s better not to burn candles at all, but if you must, use tapers rather that jar candles because the flames burn more steadily, producing less soot.

Cow’s milk causes more allergies than any other food. Typically, people are allergic to the proteins in the milk … not lactose (the sugar in milk) as is commonly thought. If milk upsets your stomach or causes sinus congestion, or you have frequent ear infections, consider stopping milk for one week to see if symptoms disappear.

Some of the places people forget to clean include tops of ceiling fan blades, under the bed, under the furniture, mini blinds, moldings or baseboards, banisters, vents, and doorknobs or handles.

If you’re allergic to nuts, read those ingredients when you’re buying shampoo, conditioners and lotions, because some of them contain almond oil.

See an allergist to confirm an allergy diagnosis. Recent finding: 65% of people taking common over-the-counter allergy medications, such as Benadryl, Chlor-Trimeton and Tavist-D, were not suffering from allergies. They had colds, sinus problems or other systemic conditions. All had been diagnosed by a physician other than a Board-Certified allergist.