Swollen Ankles May Be a Sign of a Corn Allergy

A corn allergy is probably one of the most undiagnosed allergies in the United States.  Reported symptoms vary from swollen ankles, to shiners, to headaches and constipation.  The severity of symptoms vary as well from mild discomfort to emergency room visits.  Add the fact that corn is present in nearly all packaged foods and fast foods, means the average American is getting their fair share of corn.  This basically means that most Americans are exposed to corn on a daily basis, and therefore, have no way to compare how they feel with or without eating products that contain corn.

One of the symptoms that is most common with corn allergies and many other food allergies, is inflammation.  This can lead to things like stuffy noses, swollen ankles, overall body swelling and arthritic type symptoms.  Many people blame the salt in processed foods for swelling.  Did you know that iodized salt often contains dextrose, a corn derivative?  It may not be the salt causing the swelling, but a sensitivity or allergy to the corn in most processed foods.

Swollen ankles can be caused by a number of things.  If you press on your ankles and an imprint or indent stays, you should quickly seek medical advice.  It could be a sign of something serious.  If you press on your ankles and the skin bounces back, it’s usually considered edema.  Edema is painful and it can make walking or standing sometimes excruciating.  It can make one feel as if they are walking on stumps instead of feet.  Ankles that are swollen sometimes appear to have a crease between the ankle and foot.  Sometimes swelling occurs in one foot more than the other.

How does one know if food is the culprit?  Do your ankles look better in the morning before eating?  Are they fine until you eat something?  Does taking allergy medicine reduce swelling?  If you answer yes to these questions, you might want to try an elimination diet.  If you believe that you might be allergic to corn, for example, you should avoid corn for at least three days completely to see if there is any improvement in your symptoms.  This takes some serious planning, but it’s worth it.  You can also visit an allergist and get tested for a corn allergy or other food allergies.  Whatever the case may be, uncomfortable swollen ankles don’t have to be a way of life.

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