View this email in your browser
ALLERGY UPDATES: FEBRUARY 2026 NEWSLETTER
Our 2026 Masterclass series for healthcare professionals is under way, and we look forward to another year of trusted clinical education. Patients, carers, corporates, nurses, and all those interested, are warmly invited to join our free 2026 Allergy Education Workshops. You will also find our latest AFSA Seal Approved products and a reminder for our valued MySchool (now called "MyDifference") supporters below. Love is in the air - we share some allergy friendly sweet treat recommendations❤️

Immunotherapy: A Real Option for Allergy Relief and Long Term Benefits

Allergies; from hay fever and asthma to food allergies, they can really disrupt daily life. Sleep, school, work, and overall well-being are all affected by uncontrolled allergies. Whilst antihistamines, nasal sprays, and avoidance measures help with symptoms, they do not address the root cause. 

Read more

Food Allergy Research update:  New Evidence, New Pathways and Emerging Therapies

Progress in food allergy research continues to offer cautious hope for people living with multiple IgE mediated food allergies. In February 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Xolair (omalizumab) as the first medicine to help reduce allergic reactions from accidental exposure to multiple food allergens in adults and children from one year of age.
Read more here>>

Welcome to our 2026 Healthcare Provider Masterclass Series  

  • Food allergy  - 7 February (Purchase the recording here)
  • Urticaria & Anaphylaxis - 7 March 
  • Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI) - 18 April
  • Asthma - 9 May
  • Allergic Rhinitis - 6 June
  • Allergic Conjunctivitis & The Red Eye - 25 July
  • Eczema and Angioedema -  12 September
  • Drug allergy Masterclass - 17 October

You can enjoy a MASSIVE 62.5% saving by purchasing all 8 Masterclasses here>>
Remember to select the correct version before proceeding to checkout. This will ensure that you receive the full 62.5% saving and gain access to all 8 sessions.Discount applies to 2 or more Masterclasses. 
Free webinar attendance for students, state only HCP's and Sub-Saharan Africa HCP's.

For more information on our 2026 series please see here>> We thank all our Sponsors for making this possible! Contact training@allergyfoundation.co.za for more information

Purchase now

2026 Allergy Education Workshops

 For who is this?
👨‍👩‍👧 People living with atopic eczema, asthma, food allergy & anaphylaxis and rhinitis (hayfever) or parents & caregivers
🏫 Schools, corporates & retailers
🩺 Healthcare professionals (Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses etc.)

Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis - 14 March 2026
Asthma - 23 May 2026
Rhinitis & Conjunctivits - 1 August 2026
Eczema -  19 September 2026
Email laeeq@allergyfoundation.co.za for more information. 
For the full recordings of the 2025 Workshops please see here>>

Atopic Eczema Advocacy updates

Living with eczema can be challenging, but you’re not alone. AFSA has a team of patient advocates dedicated to raising awareness, supporting those affected, and driving positive change for eczema sufferers nationwide. Our mission is to empower individuals, caregivers, families, and communities through education, advocacy, and access to resources that improve eczema care and quality of life for those who suffer from this chronic condition.

Meet Our Advocates
We’re proud to introduce our two passionate eczema advocates who are making a real difference in the lives of many:
Lynne Niemann combines her passion for helping others with 4 decades of lived experience with severe eczema. Her driving force is to dispel myths, promote effective management strategies, and connect sufferers with support networks.
Claudene Botha brings years of personal experience with eczema as a caregiver to her son. She is deeply committed and passionate about public education and driving change within the healthcare sector.

Dr Suretha Kannenberg is AFSA’s partner and a dermatologist with a deep commitment to eczema care. Working alongside Lynne and Claudene, she helps guide the Atopic Eczema Online Facebook Support Group, ensuring that members have access to reliable information, supportive discussion, and a safe space to feel understood.  If you wish to join the advocacy team please reach out to us.
See more here>>

A chance for a clearer skin:  Join an Eczema Trial

Help us to bring a new treatment option to Atopic Dermatitis (eczema). This study evaluates the formulation, CHD-FA 4% Cream, for its efficacy, safety and tolerability in patients suffering from mild to moderate Atopic Dermatitis. There will be 4 – 5 visits at the UCT Lung Institute, where you will be seen by a doctor and dermatologist.
Who can Join? Anyone 16 years of age or older with a history of eczema for more than 1 year, with 5 to 20 handprints of eczema covering the body
How to Join: Contact the UCT Lung Institute to book your screening visit
How long is this clinical trial? The study duration is 4 – 6 weeks

See our website for more information.

AFSA Shop

Ula Sun Lotion for Face and Body has no harsh chemicals or irritants and is available to purchase on our website with discount included.
The Kiddy Calmwear Onesie is available from 6-12 months upto 7-8 years,  the elbow and knee patch is now manufactured according to measurements. The sizes range from Size 1 (18cm) to Size 7 (30 cm)
Discovery Heath Medical Scheme members can now claim back their Kiddy Calmwear purchases from their Medical Savings Benefit.
Purchase Kiddy Calmwear here>>  Download specifications flyer here>>
Purchase Afrispacer here>>
Purchase Ice-Tags allergy bracelets here>>
Purchase Ula Skin SPF 30 Sun lotion for face and body here>>

AFSA Shop

Thank you for the support! Woolworths MySchool is now MyDifference

  • The MySchool programme, in its current form, will no longer be active. 
    All our supporters will need to join the MyDifference programme via the Woolworths app and select Allergy Foundation of South Africa as your cause by 30 June 2026 (date subject to change). Joining is free.
  • All members who join MyDifference after the selection window closes on 1 July 2026 (date subject to change) will have 30 days to select a cause.
What stays the same:
Your card/app still works exactly as before.
You can continue to nominate Allergy Foundation of South Africa as your beneficiary.
Donations still come directly from Woolworths, not from your pocket.

🌸 What’s new:
MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet and WRewards have joined to create one bigger and better 'get' and 'give' loyalty programme – Woolworths MyDifference.
A stronger focus on making every purchase an opportunity to create impact.
👉 Learn more about the new MyDifference programme here>> 

Support Groups

Join our Facebook private online support groups. For all Atopic Eczema sufferers join our support group here>>  Join our Coeliac Disease Support Group here>>  For our Food Allergy Support group join here>> 

Downloadable Allergy leaflets

Patient leaflets see here>>
Healthcare Provider leaflets and information see here >>

Valentine's Day Treats

Love is in the air! We’ve made a list of food allergy friendly goodies for your loved ones this year. All products are available in South Africa.
Please note: Always read labels to make sure ingredients haven’t changed.

See more here>>

See our new AFSA approved products:

Pure Essens Gold Luxury Soap 150g

Reitzer’s Essens Gold Luxury Aqueous Cream 500ml


To learn more about our AFSA Seal of Approval programme see here>>

Facebook
Instagram
Website
Twitter
Email
TikTok
Copyright © 2026 Allergy Foundation South Africa, All rights reserved.

Cape Town


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

*|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*