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ALLERGY UPDATES: JUNE/JULY 2026 NEWSLETTER
In June, we celebrated World Allergy Week - Allergy Care is Essential Care (21 to 27 June 2026). If you missed our educational media interviews, you can still watch them on our YouTube channel. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this year's campaign a success!
Healthcare providers are invited to our Masterclass: Conjunctivitis and the Red Eye on 25 July, while patients, carers, nurses, corporates, and anyone interested are welcome to attend our FREE Rhinitis and Conjunctivitis Allergy Education Workshop on 1 August
Join us again on 5 August for our next LIVE - The Allergy Connection: Eczema and Asthma, where leading experts will explore the Allergic March and the links between eczema and asthma etc.
Please see our new AFSA Approved Products here>>
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Could the products we use every day, the environment we live in, and even the bacteria in our gut influence our risk of developing allergic disease?
New research presented at the EAACI Congress 2026 is reshaping our understanding of eczema, food allergy, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. Scientists are uncovering how the skin, gut, and airway barriers work together to protect our health, and how modern environmental exposures, the microbiome, and early life interventions may influence allergy risk.
From the potential benefits of early moisturiser use in infants to emerging evidence on ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), this research offers new insights into prevention and future treatment. Read on to discover why healthy barriers may be one of the most important foundations for lifelong allergy health.
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Most of us associate magnesium with preventing muscle cramps, but this essential mineral plays a far greater role in keeping the body healthy. From supporting energy production and heart health to helping the immune system function normally, magnesium is involved in hundreds of important processes every day.
Could magnesium also influence inflammation and immune health? While it is not a treatment for allergic diseases, emerging research highlights why maintaining adequate magnesium levels is an important part of overall wellbeing. In this article, we explore what the science says, who may be at risk of magnesium deficiency, the best dietary sources, and what people living with allergic conditions need to know. Read more here>>
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As part of our World Allergy Week 2026 campaign, AFSA, in partnership with Allergrow, launched a new Food Labelling Reporting feature.
Food labels are an essential safety tool for people living with food allergies. Missing, unclear or inaccurate allergen information can place lives at risk.
Through this initiative, we aim to support the allergy community by:
- Empowering consumers to report food labelling concerns and contact manufacturers.
- Providing a platform to report incorrect or incomplete food allergen labelling.
- Engaging with food manufacturers to raise concerns, seek clarification and encourage improvements.
Our goal is not to assign blame, but to work collaboratively with manufacturers and retailers to improve food safety and help protect people living with food allergies.
To learn more about the Food Labelling Reporting feature, visit our website.
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Your story matters. If you or your family live with eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis (hayfever), food allergy, anaphylaxis, or other allergies, consider sharing your experience to support awareness and advocacy. For more stories see here>>
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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 - See recording here>>
Asthma - See recording here>>
Rhinitis & Conjunctivitis - 1 August 2026 (next Workshop)
Eczema - 19 September 2026
Live Q&A during event. Email laeeq@allergyfoundation.co.za for more information.
For recordings of all prior workshops see here>>
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The Allergy Connection: Eczema & Asthma
LIVE Event – 5 August 2026 at 7:00 PM
Streaming on AFSA Website & YouTube
Atopic eczema, food allergy, allergic rhinitis, and asthma are often interconnected. This educational session will bring together leading experts to explore the progression of allergic disease and what this means for patients and their families.
Dr Thulja Trikamjee (Allergologist) and Dr Suretha Kannenberg (Dermatologist) will be hosting this event.
Key topics
• The skin barrier and allergic disease
• Why eczema and asthma often occur together
• Whether controlling eczema may influence future allergic outcomes
• Early warning signs for parents
• Managing multiple allergic conditions
• New developments in treatment
Join via our website www.allergyfoundation.co.za/live-events/ or via YouTube. There will be audio only streaming on Facebook.
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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
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Volunteers may be eligible to participate in ongoing clinical research studies for:
* Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
* Study for Cold Urticaria (ColdU) and Symptomatic Dermographism (SD)
To find out more about these studies, including eligibility criteria and how to participate, please visit our website here>>
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AFSA Shop Products have been carefully selected to support people living with allergies. The range includes Kiddy Calmwear Clothing for Eczema, the AfriSpacer to assist with effective asthma inhaler delivery, ICE-TAGS Allergy Wristbands for emergency allergy identification, Ula Sun Lotion SPF 30 Sunscreen for sensitive skin , and Allergy Books and Allergy Recipe Books offering practical guidance and trusted information for individuals and families living with allergies.
Good news! Discovery Health Medical Scheme members can now claim Kiddy Calmwear purchases from their Medical Savings Benefit.
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How to join MyDifference and select a cause:
- Download or update the Woolworths App – find the latest version in your app store.
- Register or sign in – create a profile or simply sign in if you already have one.
- Join MyDifference – tap the Loyalty tab at the bottom of the screen and follow the easy prompts.
- Find and select your cause – on the landing page, go to ‘Causes’ under the ‘Explore Loyalty’ section.
• Search for your organisation by name
• Select and add Allergy Foundation of South Africa as your cause
- Give back every time you shop – scan your MyDifference card in the App at checkout (in-store or online) and Woolworths will give back to your chosen cause(s) at no extra cost to you.
Learn more about the MyDifference Programme here>>, email rewards@woolworths.co.za or call 0861 502 050
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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>>
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Patient leaflets see here>>
Healthcare Provider leaflets and information see here >>
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Turn a basic mince mixture into an aromatic meal by adding some extra spices and your choice of toppings to serve as this Mexican inspired dish. You can make it as spicy as your family will enjoy. See full recipe here>>
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See our new AFSA Approved Products
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