"You have to be really religious about certain parts of your housekeeping," says the Upstate native. "I have to change my sheets every week, watch the dust in the house and wash the walls at least once a season. It's not fun."

Beatty is not alone, especially this time of year. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, seasonal allergic rhinitis, or "hay fever," affects more than 20 percent of Americans each year. Symptoms range from the classic itchy eyes and runny nose to coughing and sneezing fits that last for days.

Beatty knows these seasons well and so does Dr. Neil Kao.

"It's from anywhere from mid-March to May, peaking in April," says Koa, an allergist, asthma and immunology specialist with the Allergic Disease & Asthma Center. "The things that cause allergies are much more likely to be found in the air at this time of year than at other times of the year."

Unfortunately, those with allergies have it harder down here. It is precisely those things that lend this area its charming beauty that also make it a less than pretty place for allergies.

"The things that cause most symptoms for people during the spring are A) tree pollen and B) seasonal molds," Koa says. "If you say a tree, well that's like this whole area. If we were in Kansas or North Dakota, it'd be like, yeah, let all the trees pollinate. Where are they?"

Koa's advice? Stay inside.

Which poses problems for people like Beatty who love the outdoors. But over a lifetime of allergy suffering, she has figured out certain ways to ease the pain. She gets allergy shots once a week, takes two nasal sprays in the morning, two other medicines in the evening and treatment for the frequent sinus infection.

"It's a different mentality," she says. "I have to make sure that I have an inhaler within easy reach. I can't bike alone. Some days are better than others and you just have to figure it out when you get out there."

Is it a cold?
Though allergy symptoms often mimic those of a cold, there are a few things to look out for. Linda Erwin, of the Allergic Disease & Asthma Center, says people should be attune to length of suffering. "If it's a cold, it's going to go away. If it's persistent, it's probably not a cold."

Grab a tissue
In addition to antihistamine, decongestant and eye drop sales, Blair Tidmarsh, pharmacist at Mauldin Family Pharmacy, says there is more facial tissue leaving the shelves during the spring as well. "You'll see an increase. And is it related to the allergies? Yeah, I guess so. It's wild to see that, but you really have to appreciate allergy season to understand it."