In this issue: Spring cleaning with allergies, dense breast details, energy drink boosts and more

HOUSECALL Mayo Clinic is ranked #1 in the nation. Vol. 19, Issue 26 | March 29, 2018   THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES     Allergy-proof your home Thinking about spring cleaning? If you have hay fever or allergic asthma, it's a good time to also rid your home of what's causing your allergies.     What it means to have dense breasts   If a recent mammogram showed that you have dense breast tissue, you may wonder how this affects your risk for breast cancer. Get the facts.           EXPERT ANSWERS   Energy drinks: Do they really boost energy? You may get a temporary energy lift from these drinks — but it doesn't last long. Hyperextended knee: Cause of serious injury? This bending of the knee can damage ligaments and cartilage. Find out how it occurs and when to see a doctor. Bitter orange weight-loss supplements: Do they work? Bitter orange is a common ingredient in weight-loss supplements but poses risks because of its stimulant-like effects.   PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS ... Graves' disease Rhinoplasty Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) Brain tumor     TRUSTED HEALTH TOOLS   Use our Symptom Checker to explore possible causes of your symptoms based upon Mayo Clinic's patient care experience.   Use these simple calculators and self-assessments for personalized health tips.   Mayo Clinic healthy weight pyramid BMI calculator     MAYO CLINIC PRODUCTS & SERVICES   Learn how to lose weight and stay on track Boost your chances for success and save some money with the Mayo Clinic Diet book and journal combo. Learn how to eat right and stay fit for life with information from the experts at Mayo Clinic. Record your progress with food lists, activity records and much more with a handy companion — the Mayo Clinic Diet Journal. Learn more.     SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT   Discover Mayo Clinic Connect If you or a loved one is living with a brain tumor, you're not alone. Discover your support network on Mayo Clinic Connect, a welcoming, online community. Take part in an ongoing discussion or ask a new question today.     HEALTHY RECIPES   Hot ham and cheese sandwiches with mushrooms Turkey pesto melt Creamy beef enchiladas   HEALTH TIP   Taking care of a blister? Here's how Need to drain a painful blister? To avoid infection, follow these steps: Wash your hands and the blister with soap and warm water. Swab the blister with iodine and sterilize a clean, sharp needle by wiping it with rubbing alcohol. Puncture the blister at several spots along the edge. Let the fluid drain, but leave the overlying skin in place. Apply an ointment such as petroleum jelly and cover the area with a bandage. After several days, remove the dead skin with sterilized tweezers and scissors. Apply more ointment and a bandage.   Need practical advice on diet and exercise? Want creative solutions for stress and other lifestyle issues? Discover even more healthy lifestyle topics at MayoClinic.org.   Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy    |    Opportunities     Create hope and healing Create hope and healing with a gift to Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization, and every dollar of your gift goes to funding the lifesaving research, outstanding patient care and critical medical education our patients and their families will be counting on this year. Please consider making a gift today.     Connect with Mayo Clinic For more of our reliable health information and tools, visit us at MayoClinic.org. Or add us to your social network!   Like us on Facebook Follow on Twitter Discover your Network   Watch on YouTube Patient Stories View More Newsletters     © 2018 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905. All rights reserved.