Africans do get allergies and we must stop the myths – Dr. Kofi Brifo
Dr. Kofi Ansah Brifo, founder of the Skin Africa Foundation, debunks the myth that Africans don't suffer from allergies, highlighting their prevalence in urban communities, common triggers, and potential life-threatening risks like anaphylaxis.
Founder of the Skin Africa Foundation, Dr. Kofi Ansah Brifo, has debunked a long-held myth that Africans do not suffer from allergies, stressing that the condition is real, common, and can sometimes be life-threatening.
Speaking on the Breakfast Show this morning, Dr. Brifo said, “I keep hearing this interesting myth among Africans that we don’t have allergies. But the truth is, yes, we do. In fact, allergies are very common here, affecting about 30 to 40 percent of people in urban African communities.”
He explained that allergies occur when the body overreacts to otherwise harmless triggers such as food, skincare products, perfumes, or even insect bites. Symptoms, he said, often manifest as rashes, swelling, itching, redness, or dryness of the skin. In severe cases, they can escalate into breathing difficulties, a condition known as anaphylaxis.
Dr. Brifo shared a recent case to highlight the danger: “One of my patients traveled to the U.S. and, as usual, took her antihistamine when she reacted. But this time, it didn’t work. At 1 a.m., she started struggling to breathe. That is what we call anaphylaxis, and it is life threatening. It’s an emergency.”
He also cautioned that occupational hazards, harsh skincare products, detergents, and environmental pollution contribute significantly to allergic reactions in Ghana.
On common food triggers, Dr. Brifo noted that six food categories stand out globally and in Ghana: dairy products, nuts, eggs, wheat, shellfish such as shrimps and prawns, and soy products. “However, individuals may react to unique foods as well — even something as common as pineapple,” he added.
Dr. Brifo further used the platform to clarify misconceptions around eczema, a term many Ghanaians loosely use for fungal infections. “There’s no such thing as ‘enzyma.’ True eczema is an allergic skin condition, while fungal infections are completely different. We must not confuse the two.”
He urged Ghanaians to take allergic reactions seriously and to seek medical attention rather than dismissing them as trivial. “Allergies reduce productivity, affect quality of life, and, in severe cases, can kill. We must pay attention to them,” he emphasised.