Allergy Foundation South Africa

18/11/2025

Atopic Eczema: Your Questions, Answered.
🥦 Are diet restrictions really necessary for eczema?
Not always. While food allergies can play a role in some eczema cases, they are far less common than many people think. In fact, only about 35-40% of children with eczema and just 2% of adults are affected by true food allergies.
Many people eliminate foods like dairy, eggs, or gluten without medical advice – and this can lead to poor nutrition, especially in growing children. Most eczema is not caused by food, and restricting the diet unnecessarily won’t improve symptoms.
💡 Professional Tip: Always speak to your doctor or allergy specialist before cutting out foods. A supervised plan is key to avoiding nutritional deficiencies and making sure you're treating the root of the problem – not just guessing.

💬 Got a question about eczema?
Drop it in the comments and stand a chance to win R1000 cash!
We’re giving away 3 x R1000 to lucky users who pre-post their questions.
Winners will be contacted after the LIVE event!

💬 Pre-posted questions get answered first – so drop yours in the comments now!
Find out the answers to your questions at our LIVE event on 20 November 2025 at 7:00pm with Dr Candice Royal and Dr Suretha Kannenberg.
Join our LIVE event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1153528963386871
For more information, please visit https://www.allergyfoundation.co.za

18/11/2025

😣 Struggling with chronic hives (Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria)?
Itchy welts that just won't quit? 😖 You're not alone — and there may be help.
✨ A new research study is looking into better treatment options — and you could qualify to take part.
✅ Are you 18 or older?
✅ Diagnosed with CSU?
✅ SAHPRA-approved
✅ Ethics Committee reviewed
✅ Real impact for those with CSU
🔬 Help improve medical treatments — and take one step closer to relief.
See if you qualify here: https://za.embarqcsu.com
💡 Professional Tip: If your hives have lasted more than 6 weeks without a clear cause, it could be CSU. Speak to your doctor about joining a study that could make a difference.
Find our more here: https://www.allergyfoundation.co.za/get-involved/clinical-trials/

Discover the South African Allergy Foundation, we promote allergy awareness, education, and care in South Africa. Discover our resources.

18/11/2025

🌟 AFSA Approved Spotlight: SBR Repair, Protect & Renew by The Skin People 🌿
We’re proud to include SBR Repair, SBR Protect, and SBR Renew under our AFSA Seal of Approval - specially formulated to support sensitive, atopic skin.
🧴 SBR Repair: Replaces ceramide, cholesterol, and free fatty acids in the correct balance to rebuild your skin barrier. It also helps restore the skin’s natural acidity (pH). Steroid-sparing and great for everyday barrier support.
🛡️ SBR Protect: Strengthens your skin’s defences against external irritants. Can be reapplied 3–4 times per day to areas exposed to stress or friction.
✨ SBR Renew: A soothing cream designed to nourish and hydrate skin when it feels dry and tight. Use it to maintain softness between treatments.
💡 Professional Tip: Apply SBR Repair morning and night, use SBR Protect throughout the day on exposed parts, and use SBR Renew when your skin needs an extra layer of comfort. This trio helps maintain a resilient and balanced skin barrier.
🔗 Learn more about each product in our AFSA Approved SBR range: https://www.allergyfoundation.co.za/product-category/sbr/
Take care of your skin — apply gently, consistently, and confidently. 💙

17/11/2025

Atopic Eczema: Your Questions, Answered.
💧 Wet Wrapping: A Soothing Option for Eczema Relief.
Wet wrapping is a simple but powerful way to calm the skin and help improve sleep – especially during eczema flare-ups. It cools inflamed skin, locks in moisture, and boosts the effectiveness of treatments. Despite how helpful it can be, it’s often not used early enough in care.
This method involves applying moisturiser and wrapping the skin with damp, breathable layers. It can be done for up to 7 nights in a row to help manage symptoms. Just be sure not to use wet wraps on infected skin.
💡 Professional Tip: Wet wrapping works even better when paired with eczema-friendly clothing. Check out our Kiddy Calmwear range – now available in larger sizes and custom-fit options.
👉 Learn more about wet wraps and how to do them safely: https://www.allergyfoundation.co.za/allergy-information/learn-how-to/wet-wraps/
🛒 Shop the Kiddy Calmwear range: https://allergyfoundation.co.za/shop/product-category/kiddy-calmwear/

💬 Got a question about eczema?
Drop it in the comments and stand a chance to win R1000 cash!
We’re giving away 3 x R1000 to lucky users who pre-post their questions.
Winners will be contacted after the LIVE event!

💬 Pre-posted questions get answered first – so drop yours in the comments now!
Find out the answers to your questions at our LIVE event on 20 November 2025 at 7:00pm with Dr Candice Royal and Dr Suretha Kannenberg.
Join our LIVE event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1153528963386871
For more information, please visit https://www.allergyfoundation.co.za

17/11/2025

🌟 Allergy Myths Debunked: “My Teen Should Be Responsible for Their Own Medicine” 💊👧👦
Sure, teens want independence but when it comes to managing food allergies, they still need backup. 🙅‍♀️📵
Even responsible teens can forget their meds, ignore symptoms, or take risks. Why? Their brains are still developing and they may not fully grasp the consequences. That’s where parents come in! 🧠📉
Whether it’s:
🔔 A reminder to carry their auto-injector
🍽️ Checking food labels together
💬 Talking about what to do in an emergency
— your involvement is life-saving.
💡 Professional Tip: Treat allergy care like learning to drive — they can’t go it alone right away. You guide, support, and help them build confidence safely over time.
🛡️ Together, you can help your teen live confidently and safely with food allergies.
📲 For helpful tools like allergy action plans and school tips, visit:
https://www.allergyfoundation.co.za/allergy-in-schools/parents-allergy-action-plan/

Parents Allergy Action Plan Helping parents and children with allergies in the school environment. Starting school for the first time can be a stressful and daunting affair, even for the hardiest of children. It is a time for children to leave the security of their parents’ watchful eye who are th...

14/11/2025

Atopic Eczema: Your Questions, Answered.
🧬 What is type 2 inflammation?
Eczema, asthma, and some allergies all share a common culprit: type 2 inflammation. This type of immune response is meant to protect you, but when it’s overactive, it causes uncomfortable symptoms like:
🔥 Itchy, red skin
🤧 Allergy flare-ups
😮‍💨 Breathing difficulties
This kind of inflammation doesn’t just go away with moisturisers and ointments. It often needs targeted treatment to calm things down – and the good news is, there are newer options available.
💡 Professional Tip: If everyday care isn’t helping enough, speak to your doctor about targeted treatments like injections or tablets designed to block type 2 inflammation.

💬 Got a question about eczema?
Drop it in the comments and stand a chance to win R1000 cash!
We’re giving away 3 x R1000 to lucky users who pre-post their questions.
Winners will be contacted after the LIVE event!

💬 Pre-posted questions get answered first – so drop yours in the comments now!
Find out the answers to your questions at our LIVE event on 20 November 2025 at 7:00pm with Dr Candice Royal and Dr Suretha Kannenberg.
Join our LIVE event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1153528963386871
For more information, please visit https://www.allergyfoundation.co.za

14/11/2025

🍎 Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance: What’s the Difference? 🤔
In South Africa, many people use the terms “allergy” and “intolerance” interchangeably — but they’re very different, especially when it comes to how your body reacts. Let’s break it down! 👇
🌿 Food Allergy: This is a serious immune system reaction. Your body sees certain foods as a threat, and that can trigger symptoms like hives, swelling, difficulty breathing — or even anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening. 🚨
Common triggers include nuts, eggs, fish, or cow’s milk. Food allergies need an action plan and often an epinephrine auto-injector on hand.
🍞 Food Intolerance: This mostly affects your digestion. It might make you feel bloated, crampy, or nauseous, but it doesn’t involve the immune system and it won’t cause a life-threatening reaction.
For example, people with lactose intolerance struggle to digest milk products — but they won’t go into anaphylaxis. 🥛😬
💡 Professional Tip: If you regularly feel unwell after eating certain foods, don’t guess — speak to your doctor or allergy specialist. The right testing can give you answers and help you manage your health with confidence.
🌐 Learn more here: https://www.allergyfoundation.co.za/intolerance/food-intolerance/

Food intolerance What is a food intolerance? A food intolerance refers to a sensitivity to a food, most commonly a difficulty in digestion. It is important to distinguish this from food allergy, where a person’s immune system reacts to a particular food. What are the symptoms of a food intolerance...

13/11/2025

Atopic Eczema: Your Questions, Answered.
🧼 Hygiene matters more than you think!
Clean hands and careful habits can go a long way in managing eczema. Before applying any creams or ointments, wash your hands thoroughly to avoid introducing bacteria onto broken skin. If you also have hand eczema make sure to wash your hands with soapsubstitutes iso normal soap.
💡 Professional Tip: Always use pump-action dispensers or spatulas – never dip your fingers into jars. Don't share personal items like towels or creams, as this increases the risk of infection.
Everyone has Staphylococcus aureus on their skin, but people with eczema tend to have more of it. These bacteria don’t always cause harm, but they can lead to skin infections – so avoid using antibiotic creams unless your doctor has advised you to.
If you’re prone to skin infections, consider a bleach bath twice a week:
* ½ bath (60L water) + 125ml non-perfumed bleach
* ¼ bath (30L water) + 62ml non-perfumed bleach
This simple step can reduce harmful bacteria and support healthier skin. Just have a quick rinse off after and then apply your moisturisers as always.

💬 Got a question about eczema?
Drop it in the comments and stand a chance to win R1000 cash!
We’re giving away 3 x R1000 to lucky users who pre-post their questions.
Winners will be contacted after the LIVE event!

💬 Pre-posted questions get answered first – so drop yours in the comments now!
Find out the answers to your questions at our LIVE event on 20 November 2025 at 7:00pm with Dr Candice Royal and Dr Suretha Kannenberg.
Join our LIVE event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1153528963386871
For more information, please visit https://www.allergyfoundation.co.za

13/11/2025

🌿 Understanding Your Allergies with Thermo Fisher Scientific 💡
Allergies can affect your daily life but with the right knowledge and tools, you can take back control. From sneezing fits to skin rashes or tummy troubles, symptoms vary, but they all deserve proper investigation. 🫁🤧🍽️
👩‍⚕️ What you’ll learn:
✔️ Common allergy types and symptoms
✔️ How to get an accurate diagnosis
✔️ Treatment options that work for you
💡 Professional Tip: Don’t self-diagnose — a proper allergy test is the first step to living better. Modern testing is quick, reliable, and can help guide effective treatment.
🔗 Find out more here: https://www.thermofisher.com/allergy/za/en/home.html
Take the first step toward understanding your allergies and improving your quality of life.

Allergies can affect anyone. The resources at Allergy Insider can help you learn about the various types of allergies, symptoms, and testing options.

12/11/2025

Atopic Eczema: Your Questions, Answered.
🧴 Back to basics – good skincare is the answer!
Moisturising is one of the most important parts of managing eczema, but not all moisturisers are the same. There are three types:
• Occlusives – form a barrier to prevent water loss
• Emollients – smooth and soften the skin
• Humectants – draw water into the skin but can sting if used alone
💡 Professional Tip: Apply moisturiser often – 3 to 4 times a day at least. Don’t wait for a flare-up to start treating. Moisturise the whole body using single strokes in the direction of hair growth. You can do this up to 8 times a day – the more, the better!
Natural doesn’t always mean safe. Some natural products can actually cause allergic reactions. Stick to options with the AFSA Seal of Approval: https://www.allergyfoundation.co.za/what-we-offer/afsa-approved-products/

💬 Got a question about eczema?
Drop it in the comments and stand a chance to win R1000 cash!
We’re giving away 3 x R1000 to lucky users who pre-post their questions.
Winners will be contacted after the LIVE event!

💬 Pre-posted questions get answered first – so drop yours in the comments now!
Find out the answers to your questions at our LIVE event on 20 November 2025 at 7:00pm with Dr Candice Royal and Dr Suretha Kannenberg.
Join our LIVE event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1153528963386871
For more information, please visit https://www.allergyfoundation.co.za

12/11/2025

🌟 Making Life Easier for Allergy Families in South Africa 🇿🇦✨
With the AFSA Seal of Approval, it's now simpler to spot allergy-friendly products you can trust! 🛒✅
We carefully assess and list products that are safer for people with allergies — from skincare to cleaning supplies and pantry essentials. You don’t have to guess — look out for the AFSA Seal when you shop. 👀🔍
👶👚🍽️ Whether you're buying for your kids, your home, or yourself — choosing AFSA Approved products means extra peace of mind.
💡 Professional Tip: Always check the packaging for updates — ingredients and formulations can change!
🔗 Explore some of our approved products here: https://allergyfoundation.co.za/what-we-offer/afsa-approved-products/

11/11/2025

🆘 ICE-TAGS Medical Alert ID Bands for the Whole Family 🩺👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
“Be Prepared, Save a Life!”™ with ICE - TAGS – because in an emergency, every second counts.
Whether it’s food allergies, asthma, epilepsy, or any other medical condition, these smart, durable and easy-to-wear ID bands speak for you when you can’t.
✔️ Ideal for kids, teens, adults, and seniors
✔️ Customised with emergency contact and allergy info
✔️ Waterproof, tough, and designed for everyday life
💡 Professional Tip: Medical alert tags are a small investment that can make a life-saving difference. Make sure your loved ones – especially children – are always protected with the right info on hand.
🎯 Prices start from R153,64
🛒 Shop now: https://allergyfoundation.co.za/shop/product-category/ice-tags/
Because being prepared isn’t just smart — it’s essential.