The familiar sounds and scents of spring make a season of suffering for Sherry Carter.
Sherry Carter: I’m not real active outside because my allergies are so bad. If someone’s cutting the grass, i have to actually put my windows down in the house and stay in the house.
Reporter: The blooms may be beautiful, but for allergy sufferers, the key to a happy spring is making sure that what’s outside doesn’t come inside and set off a chain reaction of allergy symptoms.
Dr. Beth Miller: The first thing people want to do is open their windows and that’s not the best idea, especially people that are allergic to tree pollens and mold, because the pollens and mold can blow into the home and cause symptoms.
Reporter: Doctor Miller recommends allergy covers for pillows and mattresses, and changing air filters once a month. Wash your sheets and bedding in hot water, and put throw pillows in the freezer to get rid of allergens. And you can wipe out that annual ritual of spring cleaning.
Dr. Beth Miller: Waiting till once a year, if the allergic person is the person cleaning, they’re going to have a lot of symptoms with all the dust mites and allergens that accumulate in the course of a year.
Reporter: Besides taking precautions, if you have symptoms, like sherry your doctor can help you find a treatment to help keep allergies from trashing your spring.
Reporter: For UK healthcare, I'm Beth Goins.