The Curse: Itchy, watery eyes
The Culprit: Your shower stall
"Mold thrives in moist environments, which is why it's so prevalent in tubs and showers," says Paula Busse, M.D., at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. "If you have allergies (up to one-third of women do), it can cause itchy eyes, sneezing and wheezing."
The Cure: Not all spores are visible to the naked eye, says Dr. Busse, but that doesn't mean they're not there. To be safe, fill a spray bottle with water and a few teaspoons of peroxide, and make a point of spritzing and scrubbing down your shower stall once a week. "The combo is less toxic than most shower sprays, and it's an effective mold-deterrent," adds Clayton.

The Curse: Puffy eyes, a runny nose
The Culprit: Your mattress and pillows
According to the Mayo Clinic, the average bed houses hundreds of thousands of dust mites, microorganisms that cause allergic reactions for more than 40 million Americans.
The Cure: To kill off the critters, "wash your sheets and, if you're able, your comforter, in hot water every week," advises Dr. Busse. "And if you can afford it, invest in an anti-dust mite cover for your pillow and mattress as well." (Goose down lovers, however, can take heart in the fact that mites are no more attracted to feathers than to other materials. "It's not the type of bedding that matters -- it's how often you clean it.")

The Curse: Hormonal havoc, extreme fatigue
The Culprit: Plastic shower curtains
They can leach out chemicals called phthalates, which have a suspected link to breast, ovarian and uterine cancers, respiratory problems and compromised liver function.
The Cure: Trade your plastic curtain for a cloth version, advises Clayton. "You don't really need a plastic liner. You can just use two cloth curtains: one for the inside of the shower and one for the outside. Just be sure to throw the inner curtain in the wash once a month to prevent mildew." And even if you've recently purchased plastic, don't panic: "Hang it outside in the sun for a few days -- most of the chemicals will be released, making it safer for you to use."

And when you're at work:
Because women often place their handbags -- covered with bacteria, thanks to the dozens of surfaces they touch -- on their desktops, their offices contain roughly three times the level of germs found in men's work spaces. Keep illness-causing bugs at bay by stashing your purse safely inside a desk drawer.