We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Is There Such a Thing As a Corn Allergy?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Feb 22, 2024
Views: 12,687
Share

People can develop allergies to just about anything, and that includes corn. True corn allergies are relatively rare, but they can be extremely debilitating and very problematic, as corn is used in a wide array of products. When someone has a corn allergy, he or she can develop symptoms from ingesting corn, touching products which contain corn, and breathing in corn pollen or particles of corn such as those generated while milling corn flour.

The severity of a corn allergy can vary. Many people experience contact dermatitis and they can develop hives, rashes, and eczema from eating corn. Corn allergies can also cause respiratory symptoms such as a runny nose, coughing, wheezing, and airway obstruction, along with gastrointestinal distress. In some cases, the allergy may cause anaphylaxis, a deadly condition which emerges in some people with allergies.

Testing for a corn allergy can be accomplished with a skin test for allergies, or an elimination diet. Realizing that someone is allergic to corn can require extensive testing, because corn is in so many foods that the allergy may be attributed to eggs, milk, soy, wheat, and other common allergens before corn is revealed as the culprit. Someone with a corn allergy can also experience false positives on allergy tests for other grains such as wheat, which can complicate matters further.

It is also important to differentiate between a corn allergy and corn intolerance. People with a corn allergy experience an immune reaction to corn caused by the body's development of antibodies to the proteins found in corn. Corn intolerance involves an inability to digest corn, which causes gastrointestinal discomfort. Over a prolonged period of time, a person with corn intolerance can develop health problems as a result of constant irritation to the gastrointestinal tract.

People with corn allergies have a formidable list of foods to avoid. In addition to obvious corn products like corn tortillas, grits, hominy, and corn muffins, they also have to watch out for corn syrup, a common food additive, along with cornstarch, which is often used as a thickener. Ingredients with “dex” in their name often contain corn as well. Sometimes, avoiding all processed foods is necessary for people with severe corn allergies, because corn is such a ubiquitous ingredient.

Contact allergies also need to be considered. Plastic wraps, many adhesives, baby powder, and a range of other products contain corn. When these products are handled or used, the proteins can cause contact dermatitis. Even hypoallergenic products may have corn, because corn allergies are rare, and careful reading of ingredient lists is strongly recommended. Medications can also contain corn, which is used to make coatings, propellants for inhaled medications, and other products used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.

Several websites contain complete lists of products safe for use by people with corn allergies, and allergy specialists can provide additional information.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-corn-allergy.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.