Expert: Ed Westemeier - 4/25/2010

Question
I was just reading a reply to another allergy question you answered and I have a similar query about Boddingtons, does it contain high levels of acetaldehyde too. As my husband is having a terrible time with his sinus and I think he is allergic to the beer. We lived in Florida for 18 years, he has always drank boddingtons on and off the whole time but i would say the last 5 - 6 years he drinks it exclusively. We moved to Texas in Jan 2009 and in Nov 2009 he started experiencing breathing problems, we thought he had asthma or allergies to the new environment and having moved out of the warm climate to a very cold winter. We have been to the doctor over and over again, till we finally went to a specialist, who did a ct scan and said he had a sinus infection which has inflamed his lungs, hence the breathing problems. We thought we had finally got it sorted and started the very heavy course of antibiotics. At least his lungs have cleared up and he isn't having any attacks but he is still congested and his nose is constantly blocked, we have noticed that on the days when he has drunk Boddingtons the night before he has the worst symptoms. Have you heard of this severe a reaction, particularly with someone who has drank it for so long without reaction. I may be grasping at straws but we are at our wit's end. Any help or advice would be most appreciated.

Thanks

Sarah McGowan

Answer
I don't really have a answer for you on this one. I don't think Boddington's is especially high in acetaldehyde, but there is always the possibility that your husband's threshold is low, so he might be more sensitive to it.
With that said, I have doubts about this causing a sinus infection, since I've never heard of it happening before.

My only suggestion is that he might consider switching to a completely different style of beer (like a lager style) for a week or two, and if the same symptoms persist, then you'll know it's not the beer.
Best of luck,
Ed