Corn Allergy List

Corn allergy is a food or non-food reaction to the vegetable and its byproducts, afflicting individuals with a variety of symptoms including digestive problems, migraines, allergic asthma, eye shiners, mood changes, fatigue, skin irritation, oral allergy syndrome (OAS)- defined by tongue, throat and face swelling and in severe cases -- anaphylaxis- a life threatening allergic reaction requiring emergency medical attention. Corn-based foods, corn byproducts and corn additives can cause symptoms in sensitized people. Reading product labels and eliminating exposure to corn reduces the onset of reactions.

Corn Food Allergies

• Corn food allergies derive from corn-based foods containing high levels of the vegetable in its natural state such as corn-on-the-cob, creamed corn, canned corn, frozen corn and popcorn.

  Manufactured corn byproducts such as corn starch, corn meal and corn syrup are used as additives in an array of processed foods and lead to symptoms when consumed by those with corn allergies. Corn starch is used to thicken liquid-based foods such as soups, sauces, salad dressing, gravy and pudding. Corn meal is ground corn used to make snack foods such as corn chips and corn tortillas. Corn meal is an ingredient in cereals, grits, baked goods and pizza crusts and forms batters for fried foods.

  Corn syrup is a thickening and sweetening agent used in a plethora of foods and is a less obvious known allergen because of its ingredient listing as corn syrup, maltrose, dextrose, fructose, high fructose corn syrup or sweetener. Corn syrup and corn syrup byproducts are used in condiments such as margarine, ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard, dips, spreads, soft drinks, cereals, baked goods, granola bars, yogurt, gum, candy, chocolate bars and fast foods.

Corn Alcohol Allergies

• Corn is a refined carbohydrate used in the dry milled corn grit and corn starch forms as an ingredient in hard alcohol and as an agent in creating less filling beer. Alcohol such as whiskey, bourbon and gin are distilled from corn. Corn syrups are added to some beer, brandies and liqueurs for flavor. Corn-fermented alcohols and those containing corn-by-products cause allergic reactions similar to food allergies.

Non-Food Corn Allergies

• A number of pharmaceuticals particularly antibiotics such as penicillin are made from corn additives such as dextrose, lactose, corn syrup and sucrose. Hygiene products including some toothpastes, mouthwashes soaps, lotions, shampoos, hair conditioners, shaving creams, and cosmetics contain corn byproducts such as Sorbitol and hydroxyls -- used as thickening and moisturizing agent.

  Household items such as kitty litter and lawn treatments can contain ground corncobs. Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, made from the resin of corncobs is an ingredient in paints varnishes, dyes and lacquer. Adhesives such as stamps, envelopes, stickers, tape and band-aids can contain dextrose -- a corn derivative.

  Hygiene products and household items containing corn derivatives can cause symptoms of rashes, hives, itching and swelling when applied to the skin and congestion problems, dizziness, asthma and fatigue when inhaled through the eyes, nose or throat.