The Anaphylaxis Campaign is launching a new awareness programme – Anaphylaxis Information Matters or AIM. They want to raise awareness of the risks associated with severe allergies, which can result in anaphylaxis and death. In parallel, NICE is launching its new Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Quality Standards (QS), designed to improve outcomes for people with severe allergies and at risk of anaphylaxis.

Currently one in three of the UK population (21 million people) live with some kind of allergy and this number is increasing at an alarming rate (ii). Up to 7 million have an allergy severe enough to require specialist allergy care (v). Despite this, allergy services in the UK are massively underfunded, with a wide gap between patient need and service provision. In the NHS there are just 30 UK allergy specialists – which works out as one specialist per 700,000 patients. (vi)

Anaphylaxis is the most severe allergic reaction and symptoms may include a raised skin rash, swelling of the mouth and tongue, throat tightening causing difficulties in breathing, fainting or collapsing which can result in cardiac arrest and death. This risk of anaphylaxis is significantly greater for people who have asthma as well allergy (vii). Common causes of anaphylaxis include foods such as peanuts (legumes), tree nuts (e.g. hazelnuts or cashews), sesame, fish, and shellfish dairy products and eggs. Non-food causes include insect stings from wasps or bees, penicillin and other medicines and natural latex (rubber).

From April 2013 to February 2014, 20,318 hospital admissions had a primary diagnosis of allergy, a 7.7% increase on the previous 12 months. Twenty percent of admissions were for anaphylaxis, a 9.9% increase on the previous 12 months(i). As many as 1 in 5 people with allergy live in fear of death from anaphylaxis or an asthma attack (viii).

Early treatment with an injection of adrenaline can be life-saving for those with very severe allergies but patients at risk need to be identified and well-prepared to recognise triggers and take appropriate action.

Said Dr Andrew Clark, leading paediatric allergy Consultant from Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge: “The UK is experiencing a large increase in the number of people at risk of severe allergy and it is really important that these people to protect themselves. Healthcare professionals should take a full allergy history and, if the patient is at risk, they need referral to an Allergy Centre for a comprehensive management plan and a regular prescription for adrenaline auto injectors. Staying protected is vital and can be done by understanding the condition, identifying the triggers, avoiding the risks and knowing how and when to use the treatment.”

As part of AIM the Anaphylaxis Campaign has created a specific Primary Care programme to encourage healthcare professionals to be aware of the risks of severe allergy and anaphylaxis and follow the NICE QS – with the overall aim of reducing the number of anaphylaxis reactions.

NICE Quality Standards (QS) are published under two headings: Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy**

More information at www.anaphylaxis.org.uk

(i) Health & Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) Provisional Monthly Hospital Episode Statistics for Admitted Patient Care, Outpatients and Accident and Emergency Data - Apr 2013-Feb 2014. Publication: June 03, 2014
(ii) Mintel, 2010
(iii) Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, April 2015, Vol.135, Issue 4, ppp 956-963, Turner, P.J. et al
(iv) NICE Quality Standard for Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy 2016
(v) BSACI, Newsletter: Allergy Update, 2011, issue 17
(vi) Health Committee, 6th Report (2003-2004): The Provision of Allergy Services (HC)
(vii) Health Committee, 6th Report (2003-2004): The Provision of Allergy Services (HC)
(viii) EAACI 2011
(ix) Health Committee, 6th Report (2003-2004): The Provision of Allergy Services (HC)
(x) House of Lords, 6th Report of Session 2006-07, Allergy,
(xi) Increase in anaphylaxis-related hospitalizations but no increase in fatalities: An analysis of United Kingdom national anaphylaxis data, 1992-2012 Turner et al; Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, volume 135, number 4

March 2016

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