Allergic symptoms of a corn allergy develop when a person’s immune system becomes sensitized and overreacts after eating corn or foods containing corn protein, or after being exposed to corn pollen. Corn and corn-derived products are used in many processed foods, as well as in many other everyday items.
Corn allergy is very rare and can be difficult to diagnose using standard skin or blood tests because it is difficult to differentiate from allergies to grass pollens and to other seeds and grain. A food elimination diet, in which specific items are removed from a person’s diet for a period of time to see if symptoms improve, is one way to determine whether a corn allergy is present.
Corn Allergy Triggers
- Corn
Most corn-derived products, like high-fructose corn syrup, do not contain corn protein. If you have a corn allergy, you may not need to avoid these products.
Corn Allergy Management and Treatment
- Avoid corn and corn-derived products containing corn protein.
- Administer epinephrine (adrenaline) to counter a severe reaction.