There's plenty to love about spring: The delightful sound of birds chirping; the warmer weather; flowers in bloom. Too bad you can't appreciate it when you're sniffling and scratching your way through allergy season. While we can't do anything to lower the pollen count (sorry!), we can share some strategies to cope with it. Here, five ways to make it through allergy season in one piece.

1. Kick off Your Heels

When we walk around outside we tend to pick up allergens on the soles of our shoes. To avoid tracking in irritants, remove your kicks before entering your home, and ask that your guests please do the same.

2. Use a Calming Cleanser

When your face is already red and itching like crazy, the last thing you want to do is exacerbate the situation with an irritating cleanser. Instead, reach for a face wash created for sensitive skin, like Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser, $6.99. Formulated with feverfew, a cousin of chamomile, this gentle cleanser removes dirt and makeup and reduces the appearance of redness without drying out skin.

3. Do Some Spring Cleaning

It's time to roll up those sleeves and grab your cleaning supplies, as both dust and mold can aggravate allergies. Run the vacuum often, and be sure to wipe down windowsills, curtains and blinds -- all places where dust tends to lurk. And don't forget to treat mold-prone areas, like the bathroom and kitchen, with diluted bleach.

4. Wear Shades

Sunglasses: They make you look cooler and they may help protect your eyes from irritating pollen or spores. Invest in a trendy pair of shades, and sport them whenever you're outside.

  5. Take Your Workouts Indoors

As much as you may love taking in fresh air while on an outdoor run or bike ride, you're also breathing in a lot of pollen during allergy season. Instead, stream a workout video at home, or head to the gym or a yoga studio instead the park.