Are your eyes watering, your nose itching and you just can't stop sneezing? Chances are there are allergens nearby. Millions of people suffer allergies set off by substances lurking right in the nooks and crannies of their own homes.

An allergen is a substance that causes no harm to most people but triggers an array of symptoms in sensitive individuals ranging from mildly annoying to life-threatening. Some of the most common allergens are literally right under our noses 24/7. These include dust mites, pet dander, mold and cockroaches.

So what happens when allergens become your housemates?

Plenty.

Allergens, and the allergies they may trigger, can negatively affect just about every aspect of your quality of life including your concentration, your sleep and even your love life. How can you protect yourself? The first step is to find out what you're allergic to. See an allergist for a series of skin-prick tests that expose you to a tiny bit of the allergen to see if you develop a welt at the site of the skin test. Once you know your triggers, you can try to take steps to avoid them.

There are simple and inexpensive strategies you can use to help decrease indoor allergens to improve your health. Let's learn more about allergens, where they're lurking in your home and what you can do about them.