MSP's alarm at big rise in allergic shock cases

Published on Tuesday 21 July 2009 21:59

THE number of people treated in hospital after having an anaphylactic shock has almost doubled in ten years, figures show.

A total of 439 cases were admitted to hospital for the life-threatening condition in 2008 – 200 more than 1999's total.

The Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board area had the most hospital admissions in 2008, with 123 – up from 53 in 1999.

Anaphylactic shock is a potentially fatal allergic reaction, which causes a person's airways to narrow.

The increase in the number of hospital admissions was disclosed by health secretary Nicola Sturgeon in a parliamentary answer to Liberal Democrat MSP Ross Finnie.

Mr Finnie, his party's health spokesman, said the Scottish Government and health officials should find out why there had been such a large increase in cases.

"These figures are shocking. The priority for health boards must be to find the cause of this increase, so we can begin to address this alarming trend," he said.

The West of Scotland MSP said the increase in Greater Glasgow and Clyde was "particularly worrying".

Even eating a tiny amount of a particular food, such as nuts or shellfish, can trigger a shock in anaphylaxis-prone people.

Swelling and itching are followed by a rash as blood pressure drops and breathing becomes difficult as the throat closes.

Anaphylaxis can also be caused by an allergic reaction to wasp or bee stings, natural latex and some drugs.