Corn allergy is a very rare
food allergy
A food allergy is an abnormal immune response to food. The symptoms of the allergic reaction may range from mild to severe. They may include itchiness, swelling of the tongue, vomiting, diarrhea, hives, trouble breathing, or low blood pressur ...
.
People with a true
IgE-mediated allergy to corn develop symptoms such as swelling or hives when they eat
corn
Maize ( ; ''Zea mays'' subsp. ''mays'', from es, maÃz after tnq, mahiz), also known as corn (North American and Australian English), is a cereal grain first domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago. The ...
or foods that contain corn. The allergy can be difficult to manage due to many food and non-food products that contain various forms of corn, such as
corn starch
Corn starch, maize starch, or cornflour (British English) is the starch derived from corn (maize) grain. The starch is obtained from the endosperm of the kernel. Corn starch is a common food ingredient, often used to thicken sauces or sou ...
and
modified food starch
Modified starch, also called starch derivatives, are prepared by physically, enzymatically, or chemically treating native starch to change its properties. Modified starches are used in practically all starch applications, such as in food produ ...
, among many others. It is an allergy that often goes unrecognized.
Symptoms
As a result of a possible
immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is a type of antibody (or immunoglobulin (Ig) " isotype") that has been found only in mammals. IgE is synthesised by plasma cells. Monomers of IgE consist of two heavy chains (ε chain) and two light chains, with the Π...
(IgE) allergy to corn, symptoms can resemble that of any other recognized allergy, including
anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a serious, potentially fatal allergic reaction and medical emergency that is rapid in onset and requires immediate medical attention regardless of use of emergency medication on site. It typically causes more than one of the follo ...
. As with other food allergies, most people who are allergic to corn have mild symptoms.
Causes
Corn allergies is caused by certain proteins which are found within the corn kernel. Currently, the maize
lipid transfer protein is known to cause corn allergies,
The mechanisms of the allergy are unknown.
Management
As with other food allergies, there is no cure.
Since the allergy is rarely reported, diagnosis of the allergen that causes the corn allergy has been difficult.
Most people who are allergic to corn cannot eat corn or anything containing proteins from corn.
Many people who are allergic to corn can still eat sugars purified from corn, such as
corn syrup
Corn syrup is a food syrup which is made from the starch of corn (called maize in many countries) and contains varying amounts of sugars: glucose, maltose and higher oligosaccharides, depending on the grade. Corn syrup is used in foods to soft ...
.
Epidemiology
See also
*
List of allergies
This is a list of allergies, which includes the allergen, potential reactions, and a brief description of the cause where applicable.
Allergens
Food
Medical
Environmental
Contact
Many substances can cause an allergic reaction when in c ...
*
Food intolerance
Food intolerance is a detrimental reaction, often delayed, to a food, beverage, food additive, or compound found in foods that produces symptoms in one or more body organs and systems, but generally refers to reactions other than food allergy. Fo ...
– another cause of illness after eating a particular food
References
{{corn
Food allergies
Allergy, corn