THE number of Lancashire patients admitted to hospital after an anaphylactic shock was below the national average in the year to February 2014.

According to figures published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC), there were just six admissions per 100,000 residents in the county, compared to the national average of 7.3. Birmingham and the Black Country had the highest rate at 11.2 per 100,000.

Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that should be treated as an emergency.

The most widely reported triggers are insect stings, nuts, milk, seafood and certain medications.

HSCIC chair Kingsley Manning said: “The statistics provide fresh insight into hospital admissions for allergies, which have increased by almost eight per cent in the last year.

“This vital information on allergy admissions in England paints a clear picture for policy makers of the scale of hospital in patient care for these conditions.”