Be a neat freak Thorough cleaning helps control allergen levels, so vacuum at least once a week with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter.

From weeds to spores to grass and tree pollens, the warm weather is almost here, driving airborne allergen levels through the roof.

Such reactions aren't always immediate, especially when sensitivity is minor or allergen levels are low.

"There is really no statistical difference in "hypoallergenic" dogs and others as far as allergen levels in the home."

A not-for-profit association of breeders, (Siberian Research Inc), was founded in 2005 to study allergen levels and genetic diseases in the Siberian breed.

Within the low group, males and females had comparable allergen levels.

Four major environmental candidates are alterations in exposure to infectious diseases during early childhood, environmental pollution, allergen levels, and dietary changes.

In a 1999 study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, washing dogs with allergen-reducing shampoo for five minutes cut the dogs' allergen levels by about 85%.

Taking some or all of these steps may not reduce allergen levels enough to have a meaningful impact on symptoms, however.

"If we just reduce allergen levels and the mothers are still experiencing high stress there could still be an immune effect on the child at birth."