If the first cold snap nixed what made you sneeze all fall, then why are you still sniffling? When it comes to allergies, what's indoors can be just as bad, if not worse. The dust mites that love to live in your bed, your pillow and other soft places you've been also can trigger allergies that leave you with a drippy nose and puffy eyes (the only good news is that they don't snore). These mites feed on skin cells that slough off you and into the fabrics you rub against, and it's their poop you are allergic to.

But you may be able to turn your allergy symptoms down a notch by turning up the heat when you wash your bedding. Set your washer temp on "hot," and put the rinse cycle on "extra."

When bed sheets were washed in either super-hot (140 degrees Fahrenheit) water or in steam, 100 percent of household dust mites in that bedding were killed. Not bad. Hot cycles worked best with dog dander, too, as did an extra rinse cycle.

If your washer doesn't have a temperature gauge, choose the hottest setting and measure the water with a meat thermometer. Also, put a little extra potent something between you and the mites: Cover your pillow and mattress with 1-micron cases that look and feel like pillowcases. These keep the offenders at a distance between washes.

The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen, are authors of "YOU: The Owner's Manual." Want more? See "The Dr. Oz Show" on TV (check local listings). To submit questions, go to www.RealAge.com.

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