Imagine you are enjoying a popcorn or a delicious corn soup. But what if after a while you start to feel dizzy, nauseous, or have trouble breathing? Most of the time, we don't pay much attention to these things. But this could be a sign of a corn allergy. We often hear people say they are allergic to things like milk, eggs, and peanuts. But corn allergies can also occur. Although this is a bit rare, it can sometimes be serious if it occurs. So, let's be aware of this.
What are the symptoms of a corn allergy?
Symptoms of corn allergy vary from person to person. This can vary from person to person. Some people may experience symptoms within minutes of eating corn, while others may experience symptoms within hours.
These are some of the commonly seen symptoms:
| Body part/system | Symptoms to watch for |
|---|---|
| Skin | Hives, skin redness, inflammation, and itching. |
| Digestive System | Nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea (diarrhea). |
| Respiratory System | Cold, salty, phlegmy, sweet smell. Runny nose, stuffy nose, sneezing like a cold. Some people may even have an asthma flare-up. |
| Severe Reaction | Anaphylaxis - This is a very dangerous emergency. It can cause difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, chest tightness, difficulty speaking, and fainting. |
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. If you experience these severe symptoms, you should immediately go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of your nearest hospital, as this can be life-threatening.
How do I know for sure if this is a corn allergy?
If you have the above symptoms and suspect that they occurred after eating corn, the best thing to do is to see your family doctor . He or she will refer you to an allergist if necessary.
Do these things before you go to see the doctor:
- Keep a food diary: Take a small notebook and write down every day what you eat, drink, and any symptoms that occur after that, and how long it took for them to appear. This will help your doctor diagnose the exact condition.
- Family details: Also remember if anyone else in your family has allergies.
Your doctor will examine you to see if there are any other conditions that could be causing these symptoms. Then, they may do some tests to confirm the allergy.
1. Skin Prick Test: This is a very simple, painless test. Here, a drop of liquid made from cornstarch is placed on the skin of your hand and a small prick is made through it. This does not hurt, it feels like scratching with a fingernail. If within 15-20 minutes the area turns red and swells slightly like a mosquito bite, it means that you have an allergy to cornstarch.
2. Elimination Diet: Another method is to completely eliminate corn and all corn-containing foods for about two weeks, as advised by your doctor. If your symptoms disappear during this time, this can give you an idea of the allergy.
How can you protect yourself from corn allergy?
The best treatment for corn allergy is to completely avoid corn and products containing corn . This is not as easy as it sounds. Because corn is not only in the things we think.
We know that corn is found in things like corn cobs , corn flour, and corn oil. But these are some things we might not think of:
| Corn hidden in places we don't expect | |
|---|---|
| Foods | Deli meat/Sausages, Cereal, Jam, Various Snacks, Bread, Salad Dressing, Canned Fruit and Fruit Drinks, Yogurt, Cheese, Some Sodas. |
| Non-Foods | Toothpaste, shampoo, vitamins, makeup, crayons, pet food, some clothes, paints, dishwashing soap. |
Therefore, when buying something from the store, you should make it a habit to read the label carefully . Pay special attention to words like baking powder, cornmeal, corn oil, vegetable oil, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, maize, and corn bran.
What to do if you have an allergy?
For minor symptoms (e.g., hives, itching), your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine .
However, if you are at risk of anaphylaxis, your doctor may recommend that you carry an injection of epinephrine (such as an EpiPen) with you at all times. Your doctor will explain to you and your family how to use this in an emergency.
Take-Home Message
- Corn allergy is a rare but possible condition. Its symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
- If you experience allergic symptoms after eating corn, don't assume and see a doctor immediately.
- The best defense is to avoid corn and anything containing corn. To do this , make it a habit to read food labels.
- Be careful with food at parties and events. If in doubt, avoid eating that food.
- If your child has this allergy, definitely inform the teachers and staff at school and daycare center about it.
- Always keep an epinephrine injection nearby in case of emergency, if recommended by your doctor.
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