The oak leaf seems a fitting symbol for a city thatss located in the Piedmont region of central North Carolina, where oak trees abound. It’s hard to enjoy the beauty of such a place when your outdoor allergies are full bloom, though. In order to avoid a daily dusting of pollen, try to stay inside during peak pollen times, usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and especially on extra-humid or windy days. If you do have to be outside, wear a face mask to limit the amount of pollen you inhale, and take a shower once you get home to rinse off any pollen on your skin and hair.

NEXT: Don't head for the hills>>

Check out our pollen forecasting tool