Corn allergy is caused when the immune system mistakenly identifies the corn proteins present in the corn as harmful and tries to fight against it. This can result in allergic reaction such as hives, stomach ache, rash etc.
Corn allergy is a kind of food allergy, which is difficult to identify as there are a number of food products which use corn derivatives. The only way to manage corn allergy is to completely avoid corn and corn products.
Corn is present in various forms such as dextrose, dextrin, fructose, sorbitol, starch, caramel, baking powder etc. Many food products such as dairy products, meat products, baked goods, salad dressings, creams, soft drinks, chips, candies, sauces etc. contain corn. Hence, it is important for people with corn allergies to avoid all these.
Corn Allergy Symptoms:
The symptoms of corn allergy are similar to food allergy symptoms. Following are the corn allergy symptoms:
- Hives
- Skin rashes
- Headache
- Stomach ache
- Wheezing
- Coughing and Sneezing
In rare cases, corn allergy can cause anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction. The symptoms of anaphylaxis are drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, dizziness etc. To avoid anaphylaxis epinephrine should be administered.
Corn Allergy Test:
Knowing if you have corn allergy is the best way to manage it. An allergist can conduct a blood test or a skin test to determine if you have corn allergy.
Treatment Corn Allergy:
Here are a few ways to treat corn allergy:
- Read the labels while shopping and avoid products containing corn
- Avoid fast food. While eating out, check for the ingredients used in the dish and beware of cross-contamination
- Take a note of the foods which trigger allergic reactions. In this way, you can avoid such foods in the future
- Be careful of certain adhesives and envelopes as they may contain corn
