If the thought of having cockroaches in your apartment wasn't awful enough, it turns out that you can also be allergic to them. (I know, I know.) More specifically, you can be allergic to proteins in things they leave around . That includes — wait for it — eggs, feces, saliva, and bits of their shells. "Cockroaches are sort of everywhere, especially in inner-city environments," says Dr. Stukus, "and cockroach allergens are a common hidden cause of both allergies and asthma."They're attracted to food and water, says Dr. Stukus, so making sure all of your snacks are secured and crumbs are cleaned up is essential. Once you've got an infestation, though, calling in an exterminator is the only way to get rid of them — and the allergens they leave behind.You may think you've sidestepped this issue by adopting a hypoallergenic breed of dog or cat, but sorry, there's no such thing, Dr. Stukus explains. The dander that's causing your symptoms is actually found in your pet's urine, saliva, and sweat glands in their skin — not their hair or fur. "The amount of dander in the air may change based on how frequently they shed," he says, "but the type of cat or dog, their hair length, and how often they shed doesn't really change whether or not they can cause allergies."Still, there might be some breeds that you're less allergic to than others. "Certain proteins cause the majority of allergic responses, and a lot of these major allergens are shared across breeds," says Dr. Stukus. "But they also have various minor allergens [that aren't shared]." So, while pretty much everyone who's allergic is reacting to the major allergens, you might respond to only some minor allergens. Unfortunately, we don't have any way of predicting which breeds will trigger your allergies ahead of time.Aside from putting fluffy up for adoption, you can try to manage your symptoms with over-the-counter antihistamines and keeping pets out of the bedroom where you sleep.Yep, even if they're labeled "natural" or thought to be beneficial, these can irritate the heck out of your respiratory system. "I have many patients that clean vigorously," he says, "but that actually worsens their asthma."So, while it's a good idea to clean in order keep those allergens in check, avoid fragrances as much as possible, and open the windows during and after you do a big scrub down to let in fresh air.Other things that might irritate your lungs but aren't allergens include paint, cigarette smoke, and anything that has a scent. That includes air fresheners, candles, and oil diffusers.Doing some home improvement? The best advice is to opt for paints with no or small amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). As for the others, ask your roommate with the smoking habit to quit lighting up on the fire escape, and get rid of anything with a strong smell. Figuring out the specific source of the irritation can be tricky — one candle might not bother you, while another product really does — but don't give up.