Differentiating Corn Allergy Symptoms from Corn Intolerance

What we may perceive as maize or corn allergy symptoms can often be quite similar to symptoms of corn or maize intolerance. However the causes of an allergy are quite different from food intolerance, because with an allergy, the immune system is involved (a mistaken response of the immune system to a harmless substance), whereas this is not the case with a food intolerance (the body is unable to digest certain items because of lack of digestive enzymes, etc.).

Another difference between corn intolerance and a true corn allergy is that even a small amount of the allergen could produce corn allergy symptoms whereas a very small amount may be quite well tolerated even with intolerance. Also an allergic reaction could be quite sudden and the symptoms may show up in a matter of minutes, while intolerance will typically take longer to show up.

While food intolerance will be triggered only by ingesting or actually eating the food, an allergy can be triggered by any kind of contact with the food.

Allergy testing and other methods should be used to pinpoint an allergy so that appropriate methods of management can be formulated.

Corn allergy symptoms and corn intolerance symptoms

When it is a corn intolerance we speak of, the symptoms may be digestive in nature. Indigestion, abdominal pain or distention, cramps, diarrhea or constipation, etc. may be the commonly noted symptoms. This is because the body is not able to effectively breakdown and digest the particular food due to which the intolerance has developed.

They symptoms of an allergy will involve the immune system and so corn allergy symptoms will include immune responses such as hives and other skin rashes and reactions. There could be the usual runny or stuffy nose and hay fever symptoms. Swelling could be present in some cases.

Various aches and pains, including headaches may manifest. The person may feel tired or enervated as well. The type of symptoms one has and the severity of those symptoms could vary from person to person.

The challenges of avoiding corn

Sometimes corn allergy symptoms may occur rather unexpectedly because corn or its constituents may be present in so many different foods without it being obvious. In fact corn in present in some or other form, to a larger or lesser extent, in a vast majority of processed foods.

One of the most common culprits is high fructose corn syrup which is a ubiquitous ingredient in prepackaged foods available in supermarkets and so on. Other ingredients listed on the package that should ring a warning bell and which could well result in triggering a corn allergy – dextrose, citric acid, MSG (monosodium glutamate) and iodized salt.

Reading ingredient lists carefully is very important for avoiding corn allergy symptoms. Not only that, the important thing is also to be well informed about all the different ways in which corn or maize is used by the food industry and the different names it assumes so that this allergen can be steered clear of.

Related Posts:

1. Are You Suffering With Corn Allergy? The Foods You Need To Avoid For Preventing The Symptoms!
2. Preventive Steps For Corn Allergy!
3. Identifying Lactose Intolerance
4. Helping You Live With Corn Allergies
5. Food Intolerance And Food Allergies Are Not The Same
6. How To Confirm Food Intolerance? Food Allergy Test Helps You To Determine The Condition!