The oak leaf seems a fitting symbol for a city that's 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.

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