The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has reinforced its emergency anaphylaxis guidance amid a rise in hospitalisations.

The MHRA recently issued new guidance on how to recognise and respond to the signs of anaphylaxis and on the use of adrenaline auto-injectors.

And this week it is encouraging people to download its advice, after new data revealed that the number of hospital admissions in England for allergies and anaphylaxis has more than doubled over the last 20 years.

NHS figures showed there were nearly 26,000 admissions in 2022/23, more than double the 12,361 in 2002/3.

For food-related anaphylaxis and other adverse reactions, the rise was even higher, climbing from 1,971 admissions in 2002/3 to over 5,000 last year.

MHRA chief officer for healthcare quality and access Laura Squire said the figures highlight ‘just how serious the consequences of allergies can be’.

Ms Squire added that the rising number of hospitalisations ‘highlights the need to know how to act in an emergency’.

People at risk of anaphylaxis should always carry two auto-injectors and these should be regularly checked to ensure they have not expired.

In case of an anaphylaxis emergency patients should use their auto-injector without delay and immediately contact 999.

Patients should be made to lay down flat with their legs raised, or lay on their left side if they are pregnant. If there is no improvement after five minutes, a second auto-injector should be used.

Ms Squire added: ‘Knowing how to use an adrenaline auto-injector and what to do afterwards is crucial when responding in an emergency, whether you’re having the reaction yourself or helping someone else.

‘Anaphylaxis is scary for everyone involved and when it strikes, it’s not easy to remember what the right steps are.

‘That’s why we want to encourage everyone to download our guidance now so they can be confident they’re doing the right thing if they’re ever in that situation.’

A version of this article was first published by our sister title Nursing in Practice