Are dogs a cure for hayfever?
So the science behind this theory is that dogs bring germs inside on their coats and in their mouths, thus exposing kids to them and boosting the child's immune system. Older generations were often exposed to more dirt and germs as children (you know, because kids used to actually play outside instead of sitting indoors playing video games), and therefore developed a greater resistance to many allergens than kids today.
This study in particular has taken blood samples from 3,000 six-year-olds and will test the samples for hints that the child might become allergic to things like pet hair, dust mites, and pollen. The children will be retested at age 10, but the lead researcher has already stated with confidence that, "Our results show clearly that the presence of a dog in the home during infancy is associated with a significantly low level of sensitization to pollens and allergens."
Gallery: Are these kids less likely to develop allergies?
Special mattress pads, allergen-reducing fabric sprays, air filters, and so forth ... if you have 
The worst place to keep your shoes? The bedroom closet. Worst place to set your purse? The kitchen counter top. Worst place to keep your toothbrush? The bathroom sink. 
I'm lucky to be one of the few people without allergies, except for the occasional bout of hayfever. Allergies are a nuisance for so many people, and it seems like there are an unlimited amount of culprits. 
Asthma is a condition that affects hundreds of thousands of people out there. And though the symptoms are largely the same, the disease varies from patient to patient, each one having different triggers for attacks. 
Fingers are crossed in North Carolina, where researcher Mohamed Ahmedna is tentatively thinking he may have discovered a way to 
Summer Slimdown Guide: Instant self-confidence boosters
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Summer Slimdown Guide: Calorie-free foods (or close to it)
