Most people with asthma, hay fever and other allergic diseases caused by external agents, consider your home a haven where they can escape from allergies. Unfortunately, the houses and apartments have their own allergens (substances that cause allergy symptoms). Your own home can turn into a trap, because the household allergens is difficult to determine, and to avoid contact with them is virtually impossible.

While many household allergens can cause allergic symptoms, the main culprit is the domestic house dust allergy. What is house dust?

• The quality and quantity of house dust depends on the type and age of the premises, the temperature and humidity of the air in indoor objects (any, from food to clothing), and the residents of the house (humans, animals, plants).
• Dust, even in small quantities, is in each house, regardless of how often it is removed carefully.
• House dust is carried by air through the mixture containing fine particles of soil and plant material from the room or from outside, skin particles man and animal hair, fibers, fabrics, mold spores, dust mites, fragments of dead insects and their waste, food particles and other debris .
• Many substances in the composition of the dust may cause allergic symptoms, the most common household allergens - it is dust mites, wool and dandruff Dandruff: where it comes from, and what to do   pets, cockroaches, and mold.

Unlike seasonal allergies, such as hay fever, allergies household can continue throughout the year. Exposure to household allergens can cause or exacerbate asthma symptoms, depending on individual sensitivity of each person.

• Household allergies, usually exacerbated in late summer, when most dust mites.
• Symptoms of household allergies are most pronounced in winter when the windows are closed, and people have to constantly contact with allergens.
• Do not open the windows at night and in the season of pollen and mold proliferation, as this may lead to a worsening of asthma or allergy symptoms, because it concentrates the allergen enters the home, where it remains for a long time.
• If you are sensitive to household allergens, allergy symptoms persist as long as there is continued contact with allergens.

Sensitivity to household allergens is very common and can occur at any age. Least of all household allergens are children under 5 years.

Causes of household allergies

Allergic sensitivity - this is a reaction of the immune system The immune system - how it works?   a substance which is not natural for your body and regarded them as "aggressor". Under the effect of this substance (allergen) in the body of histamine release reaction occurs, and this leads to the appearance of the characteristic symptoms.

When the allergen particles fall into the eye mucosa, nose or respiratory tract, an allergic reaction.

• If the immune system has already passed the "sensitization" (the production of antibodies to the allergen at the first contact with him), to the specific "aggressor", she begins to actively protect themselves from it; This reaction to a harmless substance known as hypersensitivity or allergic reaction.
• An allergic reaction is initiated by a number of other reactions that lead to the release into the blood of chemicals called "mediators" (mediators) such as histamine.
• Under the influence of mediators and cells and tissues of allergic symptoms occur.

Dust mites

• Dust mites - the most common household allergens. They can be found in most homes, usually in beds and bedding, upholstered furniture, clothing, or any tissue.
• Those who argue that is sensitive to dust are actually sensitive to dust mites and their waste, as well as particles of dead dust mites, which are found in house dust.

Mildew

Mould - This fungus having no stems, leaves or roots of forming coating on various materials.

• Mold, are usually the most common in nature, but can be found in virtually any environment. It can cause allergic rhinitis Rhinitis: a runny nose - is quite serious   and asthma, and reproduce by spores that are in the air as long as find a favorable environment for growth.
• Disputes easily pass through the open doors and windows and settle in areas, particularly where there is excess heat and humidity. The warm and humid environment (e.g., in a shower room) they grow into mold.
• But mold is not always possible to see with the naked eye; It can grow in hidden areas of the house, such as under floors and behind walls.

For the growth of mold requires moisture, such as a water pipe or a leaky roof, or condensation on a window pane.

• Once the desired surface mold growth. Most often, mold grows on wood, gypsum cement slabs or tissue.
• With the growth of mold releases more spores that fall in house dust and cause allergies.
• Despite the fact that the mold, like any other household allergens can cause allergic symptoms, it rarely leads to serious health problems, except when allergic to mold combined with weakened immune systems Immunity - types and characteristics in children in adults .

Cockroaches

We do not like to think that in our house can live insects, especially cockroaches, but the fact remains. If you live in a densely populated urban area, in an apartment building, you will probably ever encountered with cockroaches.

• Cockroaches like warm moist places where there is food.
• Favorite place of cockroaches - the kitchen, but they can also be found in other rooms.
• The bodies of dead cockroaches dry out and crumble into small particles that fall in house dust and cause household allergens.

Loratadine is used to temporarily relieve symptoms of hay fever and other allergies. The most common of these symptoms are sneezing, nasal allergies, itchy skin around the eyes, nose and throat. Loratadine also helps to cope with the symptoms of urticaria and pseudoallergic reactions. This drug can not prevent occurrence of any allergic reactions.

Loratadine belongs to antihistamines. Medicines in this class block the action of histamine, a substance that causes the allergy symptoms Allergy symptoms: Survival Guide Spring . In some products it is included in combination with pseudoephedrine.

How to use loratadine?

Loratadine is produced in the form of syrups, suspensions, tablets, prolonged action tablets and conventional. Take loratadine, clearly following the instructions on the package.

Do not use loratadine to treat hives on the skin where there are large blisters, rash, unusual color or if rash accompanied by itching. If you have these symptoms you should consult with your doctor before taking any medicine.

Stop taking loratadine, if allergy symptoms do not improve within three days after the start of the reception. This may mean that you do not fit the drug, or that the cause of the symptoms is not installed correctly.

Seek immediate medical help if soon after the start of loratadine you will have any new symptoms that are similar to the symptoms of an allergic reaction Allergic reactions: how to understand why you tickle in the throat .

Before you start taking loratadine:

• Tell your doctor what medicines and nutritional supplements Food additives - basic classification   and vitamins you are taking at the moment. Tricyclic antidepressants, barbiturates, ethanol, phenytoin, rifampin, and phenylbutazone significantly weaken the effectiveness of loratadine.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of asthma, or liver and kidney disease.
• Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (a congenital disease). Some tablets which have to dissolve slowly in the mouth, contain phenylalanine.
• Loratadine is not recommended in case of hypersensitivity to the drug, as well as during pregnancy.

If you forget to take loratadine, take it if left until the next receiving at least 3-4 hours. If the steel is less time, just take the next dose.

Side effects

The most common side effects of loratadine following:

• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dry mouth
• Nose bleed
• Sore throat
• Education sores in the mouth
• Sleep disorders Dreams: how to understand our dreams   (the patient is difficult to fall asleep or he often wakes up at night)
• Increased nervousness
• Weakness
• Stomach ache
• Diarrhea
• Redness and itching eyes
• Skin rashes and itching

These side effects are not signs of dangerous conditions. But be sure to seek help from a doctor if after taking loratadine you will have symptoms such as hives, swelling of the skin around the eyes, face, lips, tongue, hands, feet and throat: difficulty breathing and swallowing, wheezing .

Loratadine can significantly slow the rate of reaction and the ability to concentrate, so the period of admission should be extremely careful when driving and other vehicles.

If you have accidentally taken more medicine than is required, watch for their state. A slight overdose is not usually a great danger. But if you have any drowsiness, severe headaches, increased heart rate, and involuntary movements of the body, should immediately call a doctor.