Number of people being admitted to hospital for allergic reactions rises by a THIRD for allergic reactions and experts blame high levels of ‘cleanliness’
Docs say rising levels of cleanliness have lowered people's natural resistance to bacteria and dust which cause common allergies
HOSPITAL admissions in England for allergic reactions including anaphylactic shock have risen a third in five years.
Doctors say improved cleanliness has lowered people's natural resistance to bacteria and dust that cause common allergies.
There were 29,544 admissions in 2015-16, up from 22,206 in 2011-12, says NHS Digital.
Dr Donald Hodge, of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, said: "The fact that we're living in a much cleaner world than 100 years ago is the main factor behind the rise in allergy admissions."
"We've seen a huge increase in the number of referrals for children who have developed allergies, and this is undoubtedly because living in a cleaner world has lowered our ability to build up a resistance to substances like dust and pollen."
NHS Digital will publish figures in next month which shows a steady rise in the number of hospital admissions where the primary reason for admission was due to an allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock.
Earlier this year, Indian restaurant owner Mohammed Zaman was jailed in May 2016 after he was found guilty of manslaughter when a customer died of a severe anaphylactic shock having eaten a dish that contained nuts.
What is anaphylactic shock
Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can develop rapidly.
Signs of anaphylaxis include:
- itchy skin or a raised, red skin rash
- swollen eyes, lips, hands and feet
- feeling lightheaded or faint
- swelling of the mouth, throat or tongue, which can cause breathing and swallowing difficulties
- wheezing
- tummy pain, nausea and vomiting
- collapse and unconsciousness
Source: NHS