How to fight holiday allergens

As you haul out the holiday decorations, an allergy can become like that ugly tie or unwanted kitchen gadget from your favorite aunt.

Between Thanksgiving and New Year's, allergies flare up for three out of four adults, who then battle headaches, irritated eyes and plugged sinuses. However, according to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, you can keep an allergy from becoming your Scrooge by:

Opening cartons of decorations outside or in the garage, and allow them to air for 24 hours before bringing them into your living room;
Wiping down dusty decorations, especially artificial trees, before taking them inside;
Avoiding buying fabric decorations, which can trap more dust than plastic, metal and glass items;
Washing fabric decorations, if you do have any, before putting them up;
Skipping freshly cut juniper trees, which pollinate during the winter, if you suffer from mountain cedar allergy;
Looking for Scotch pines and Douglas firs if you want freshly cut or live trees;
Watching out for scented candles; pine-scented aerosol sprays that add aroma to artificial trees; wood you've stored for fireplaces; and flames, ashes and smoke from the fireplace or campfire;
Taking your own pillow in a dust-mite-proof encasement if you are traveling over the holidays.
Limiting your intake of alcohol, which is notorious for triggering various headaches and sinus problems;
Storing ornaments, artificial trees and other decorations for next year in dry, temperature-controlled areas where mold cannot grow - and sealing the cartons tightly.