World Allergy Week 2025 runs from 29 June to 5 July, and this year’s global focus is loud and clear:

“Anaphylaxis: A Preventable Threat”

For those unfamiliar, anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It can develop within minutes of exposure to a trigger — such as certain foods, insect stings, medications, or latex— and without immediate treatment, it can be fatal.

Sadly, many South Africans don’t know what anaphylaxis looks like, how to treat it, or how to prevent it. That’s why this year’s campaign is so important — not just for allergy patients, but for educators, health workers, caregivers, and the public at large.

Why We Must Pay Attention

Anaphylaxis is becoming increasingly common across all age groups, especially in children. It often starts with symptoms like:

• Sudden skin reactions (hives, redness, itching)
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Abdominal cramps or vomiting
• Dizziness or fainting due to a drop in blood pressure

Without fast intervention — typically an epinephrine injection (adrenaline) — these symptoms can progress rapidly and become life-threatening.

Learn how to recognise and respond to allergic emergencies:
How to Use an Auto-Injector poster

The Epinephrine Access Crisis

While auto-injectors like EpiPens are the gold standard for treating anaphylaxis, they remain costly and difficult to access in South Africa. In many rural or public healthcare settings, epinephrine may not be stocked at all — putting lives at risk.

AFSA continues to advocate for wider access to life-saving allergy tools, affordable medication, and health worker training.

Learning how to use an adrenaline auto-injector

Education = Prevention

The best weapon against anaphylaxis? Knowledge.
Preventing severe reactions starts with identifying your triggers and creating a personal allergy action plan.

Whether the allergy is foods-based (e.g., peanuts, shellfish), environmental (like latex), or medications-related — early diagnosis is key.

AFSA offers online Masterclasses for healthcare professionals, and Allergy Education Workshops for patients and lay-persons as well as support materials for parents, teachers, and patients living with severe allergies.

Healthcare professionals can upskill here>>
Patients and laypersons can join our Live Allergy Education Workshops or see recordings here>>

Parents can learn how to protect allergic children at school here>>

When to See a Specialist

If you or a loved one has ever experienced a severe allergic reaction, it’s crucial to consult an allergy and immunology specialist. A full diagnosis can help confirm triggers, prevent future exposure, and ensure that emergency medications are prescribed and accessible.

AFSA’s specialist referral directory and educational videos can guide families on where to go and what to expect.

Need help finding a specialist? Start here>>

Let’s Stand Together

Anaphylaxis is frightening — but it’s also preventable.
By raising awareness, improving access to treatment, and educating every household, school and clinic, we can save lives.

Join AFSA this World Allergy Week by:

Joining our Free Live Tik Tok event @dr.randallortel on the 30th June @8pm Q&A session on “What is Anaphylaxis”
Follow our Facebook page for daily Anaphylaxis content during WAW commencing the 29^th June to 5^th July and please share our posts.

Follow and support AFSA’s work at:
www.allergyfoundation.co.za
Instagram: @SAallergy
Facebook: @SAallergy
TikTok: @SAallergy
Join our Food Allergy Support Group

#WorldAllergyWeek2025 #AnaphylaxisAwareness