Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources: SURVEY OF ADULTS DIAGNOSED WITH AN ALLERGY TO CORN

Monday, December 2, 2019

SURVEY OF ADULTS DIAGNOSED WITH AN ALLERGY TO CORN

SURVEY CONDUCTED BY

CORN ALLERGY ADVOCACY/RESOURCES

December 4, 2019

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I would also like to extend my deepest gratitude to members of corn
allergy support groups for their contributions in the preparation of this survey.

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This survey is to be completed by adults diagnosed with an allergy to corn. Your responses will be kept strictly confidential. Please copy the survey to a Word® document, and submit your replies to cornallergyinitiative@gmail.com.
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1. Do you have a physician-diagnosed allergy to corn?

2. In what year was your allergy to corn diagnosed?

3. Did your allergist include corn allergy as part of a standard panel of testing?

4. Did you have to request that your allergist test you for a suspected corn allergy?

5. Did your allergist ever refuse to test you for a suspected allergy to corn? If yes, what was the allergist’s reason for refusing the test?

6. Did you ever seek a second opinion for a suspected corn allergy because your allergist refused to test for an allergy to corn? If so, was your allergy to corn confirmed after seeking a second opinion?

7. Did your allergist prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector pen for you as a direct result of your anaphylactic reaction to corn/corn-derived ingredients?

8. How many times in the last year was an epinephrine auto-injector pen required due to your anaphylactic reaction to corn?

9. Did your allergist or any other medical professional advise you that even though you have a confirmed allergy to corn, it would be safe to continue consuming corn or corn derivatives?

10. Has your allergist been helpful in recommending corn-free foods, fluids, supplements, or medications?

11. Do you find it difficult to obtain adequate nutrition as a result of your allergy to corn? If yes, please explain; e.g., are you unable to take vitamins or nutritional supplements due to corn-derived ingredients in these products?

12. Did your physician or hospital prescribe medications for you that contained corn-derived ingredients, even though your allergy to corn was clearly indicated in your medical records? If yes, how was this issue resolved?

13. Are you aware if your physician or hospital declared you as “non-compliant” for refusing physician-prescribed medications due to corn-derived ingredients in the prescribed medications, even though your allergy to corn was clearly indicated in your medical records?

14. Do you require compounded medications to exclude corn? If yes, does your insurance cover the cost of compounded medications?

15. If you require compounded drugs to exclude corn-derived ingredients, was the pharmacy able to fill the prescription to exclude corn? Were there any drugs prescribed by your physician that could not be compounded to exclude corn-derived ingredients? Please explain.

16. If you were hospitalized, was the hospital fully equipped to treat/nourish you? If no, please explain. .

17. If you were hospitalized, did you ever have to advise the hospital against administering dextrose IV fluid, or was the staff already aware of the warning on the product information sheet accompanying dextrose IV fluids that it should not be administered to corn-allergic patients?

18. Did any medical professional ever administer dextrose IV fluid to you, even though your allergy to corn was clearly indicated in your medical records? If yes, did you suffer an allergic reaction to the dextrose IV fluid? If yes, how was this situation resolved; e.g., did you file a report with The Joint Commission?

19. Do you have ready-access to corn-free antihistamines? If no, please explain.

20. Do you have difficulty finding corn-free foods, fluids, and/or medications? If yes, please explain.

21. Are you ingestion-reactive to corn?

22. Are you contact-reactive to corn?

23. Are you inhalation-reactive to corn?

24. What are your symptoms after exposure to corn?

25. Have you consulted with a nutritionist as a direct result of your corn allergy diagnosis?

26. Was your nutritionist able to recommend safe sources of corn-free foods?

27. Do you feel that your nutritionist was trained to address a corn allergy diagnosis?

28. Has a food manufacturer ever refused to disclose if their product(s) contain corn/corn-derived ingredients upon your request?

29. Has a food manufacturer ever told you that their products are safe to consume since the corn “protein" has been removed? Did you then suffer an allergic reaction to this product as a result of your corn allergy? If yes, how was this issue resolved; e.g., did you file an adverse reaction report with the manufacturer, the FDA, or the applicable health department?

30. Does your allergy to corn restrict your social activities? If yes, please explain.

31. Does your allergy to corn restrict your travel? If yes, please explain.

32. Please explain how your allergy to corn has impacted your life (emotionally, financially, etc.).

33. Does the fact that corn allergen warnings are voluntary on product labels hinder your ability to find corn-free foods, fluids, and/or medications? If yes, please explain.

34. Due to corn-derived purification chemicals in some tap water, can you safely consume tap water in your home; or have you been required to purchase corn-free water from another source, or install a corn-free water filtration system in your home?

35. Has any medical or academic professional ever implied to you that “There is no such thing as an allergy to corn,” or that “Corn is hypoallergenic?” As a result, did you feel that you were demeaned in any manner? If yes, please explain.