Your trusted space for clear, simple, and reliable information about allergies. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or managing symptoms long-term, Allergy Facts has a goal to help you understand your condition and feel more confident in your daily life. Here, you’ll find patient-friendly explanations, practical tips, and guidance backed by medical expertise.
We’re glad you’re here.
Allergy vs Intolerance
Types of Allergy
Get Tested
Treatments
Meet Ali, your Allergy Adviser, here to help you better understand your symptoms and guide you through your allergy journey.
Looking for answers? Allergy testing, together with guidance from your healthcare professional, can help identify what may be triggering your symptoms.
Important: Ali provides general allergy information to help you better understand symptoms. Ali does not provide medical advice or a diagnosis and is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.
Accurate allergy assessment
Expert medical
guidance
Better symptom control and prevention
What is an Allergy?
An allergy is when your immune system reacts to something harmless, like pollen, food, pets, or dust, as if it were dangerous.Your body releases chemicals such as histamine, which causes symptoms like:
- Sneezing or runny nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Skin rashes or hives
- Wheezing or breathing problems
- Swelling
- In severe cases, anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction)
Allergies are an immune system problem. Even tiny amounts of an allergen can trigger a reaction.
What is intolerance?
An intolerance is not caused by the immune system. Instead, it happens when your body has trouble digesting or processing a substance.
Common symptoms of intolerance include:
- BloatingGas
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
These symptoms are usually uncomfortable but not dangerous, and the amount you consume often affects how severe the reaction is. For example, someone with lactose intolerance may tolerate small amounts of dairy.
Allergy | Intolerance |
|---|---|
Involves the immune system | Involves the digestive system or metabolism |
Reaction can happen from very small amounts | Symptoms depend on how much you consume |
Can be life-threatening | Not life-threatening |
Symptoms include hives, swelling, breathing issues | Symptoms mostly affect the gut |
Allergies can affect people in many different ways. Know your Allergy Facts. Here are the most common types:
Food Allergies
Reactions to foods like peanuts, milk, eggs, shellfish, or wheat. Symptoms can range from hives and stomach pain to severe reactions like anaphylaxis.
Pet Allergies
Caused by proteins found in animal dander, saliva, or urine. Symptoms may include sneezing, itching, and breathing difficulties.
Skin Allergies
Includes eczema, contact dermatitis, and hives. Triggers can be soaps, metals, plants, or certain skincare products.
Seasonal & Environmental Allergies
Triggered by pollen, grass, trees, dust mites, or mold. These often cause sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion, commonly known as “hay fever.”
Insect Sting Allergies
Reactions to bees, wasps, or fire ants. These can cause swelling, hives, or severe, rapid-onset symptoms.
Drug Allergies
Some people react to medications such as antibiotics or pain relievers, leading to rashes, swelling, or more serious symptoms.
If you’re experiencing allergy symptoms, getting properly tested can help pinpoint your triggers and guide effective treatment. Here are the main testing options available in South Africa:
- A test where tiny drops of allergens are placed on your skin and gently pricked.
- Results are visible within about 15 minutes.
- Tests common airborne allergens (like pollen, dust mites, pets) and some foods.
- If you’re on antihistamines, you usually need to stop them a few days before the test.
- These tests measure specific IgE antibodies in your blood antibodies that your immune system makes in response to allergens.
- Very useful when skin tests are not possible (for example, if you have eczema or sensitive skin).
- There are component tests that go deeper to identify specific parts of allergen proteins, helping to assess risk and severity.
- Unlike skin tests, blood tests are not affected by antihistamine medication, so you often don’t need to stop your treatment.
- In more uncertain or complex cases, an allergist may perform a controlled challenge test, where small, increasing doses of a suspected allergen are introduced (under medical supervision)
- These are considered very accurate and are the “gold standard” for diagnosing food or drug allergies.
- For specific cases, tests like CAST (Cellular Allergen Stimulation Test) or Lymphocyte Proliferation Test (LPT) are available in South Africa.
- No Need to Stop Medication: Unlike skin tests, you don’t have to stop antihistamines before a blood test.
- Works Even with Skin Conditions: Ideal if skin prick testing isn’t possible (e.g., severe eczema or very reactive skin).
- Widely Available in SA
- Component Testing: Helps distinguish whether you’re sensitised (potential allergy) or likely to have a real, clinical allergy, and even how severe it could be.
- Informed Treatment: Knowing exactly what you’re allergic to makes it easier for your doctor to tailor treatments or allergy-avoidance plans and even consider immunotherapy if needed.
Take Action
If you’ve been suffering from sneezing, wheezing, rashes, or other allergy symptoms, getting tested is a powerful first step. Visit a certified allergist or talk to your GP about which test is right for you and whether a blood test might be the best option.
Allergies can’t always be cured, but there are many ways to control symptoms and improve your quality of life, knowing your allergy facts is the first step:
1. Avoidance:
The simplest way to prevent reactions is to stay away from known triggers.
2. Medications:
Antihistamines, nasal sprays, eye drops, and corticosteroids can help relieve symptoms.
3. Immunotherapy:
Allergy shots or tablets gradually train your immune system to tolerate allergens over time.
4. Emergency Plans:
For severe allergies, carrying an epinephrine auto-injector can be life-saving.
Every allergy is different, and treatment should be tailored to your needs. The best first step is to consult your doctor or allergist. They can help identify your triggers, recommend the most effective treatments, and ensure your allergy management plan is safe and personalised.
