PamNC

I told a friend I was so disappointed that Zicam had taken their gel swabs off the market. Besides having had such fabulous results from them in not catching a cold any time I ever started to feel one coming on, I also used them as a preventative measure when, just prior to boarding a plane, I would always use one. Being confined in such close quarters with so many people who are often sick, is a concern. She told me that she carries a small plastic bag with Q-tips, to which she has applied Vaseline, and she then applies a small amount of the Vaseline to the inside of her nasal passages before boarding for a trip. She said this is two-fold in that it keeps moisture inside of her nose, and it also traps any germs. Has anyone ever tried this?

LEANNA

I am equally as hysterical about the loss of Zicam and used the product in the same ways you did!!!!

I have heard about the Vaseline bit but not tried it. What I have used this fall and for my last flight was swabbing my nose out w/ Table salt. Dr. Oz mentioned it and it has kept me healthy this winter. I teach piano to little germies.....and they cough and sneeze on me like mad.....but so far...no colds this year!!

janisj

Yes, lots of people dab on vaseline or saline nose gels to keep the passages moisturized in the dry air.

amyb

I do the same only with Neosporin or Bacitracin.

djkbooks

Saline solution is excellent for keeping everything from drying out.

One "tip" is NOT to have that air flow nozzle pointed in your direction. Air, with germs, is recirculated throughout the plane.

Then, just take the usual precautions, washing your hands and keeping them away from your face.

hetismij

Funny you say that djkbooks. During all the hype over Swine Flu the advice was to keep the air nozzle pointed just in front of your face. That way the air prevented any airborne virus or germs from being breathed in. This was a doctor who said this, and who also said that the air is filtered thoroughly if it is recycled. No idea if it is true.

I have never caught any sort of cold or flu from a flight, nor has my husband who flies far more than I do. Neither of us have ever even thought of using something to protect us. In fact I would think something like Vaseline would trap any germs making them stick around you even longer.
I don't understand why people are so paranoid about it. You are at least as likely to catch something nasty from the recycled air conditioned air in the average office or municipal building as you are from a flight.

djkbooks

All that is positively nuts!

emcash

Im also very very very sad about the Zycam situation. I have found a few errant swabs that I left in different bags and they have saved me through some bad times this winter! Thanks for the vaseline tip

sheri_lp

isn't Zicam the stuff that damaged people's sense of smell?

emcash

ya ya ya. so they say

LEANNA

Exactly. Ya ya ya so they say!!

I used it for a couple of years...for travel and the occasional cold symptoms and never had a problem. I still have a few tucked away and used one again recently and again had no problem.

sheri_lp

why would you want something that's a potential danger?

PamNC

I might sound a little skeptical, BUT do we really know that the Zicam swabs are a danger? Neither my husband nor I or any of our friends had a problem with them. I felt so strongly that they were a "God send" that I recommended them to everyone. Out of all the millions of people who used the product, it was said that there were 130 people who had problems with loss of smell. PERHAPS, some did have a problem, but I always wonder about whether or not they were the real cause; perhaps something else was to blame but Zicam is taking the fall. Then, there are always those who want to jump on the bandwagon with the others as there is money to be made. Of course, Zicam has to play it safe and remove the product from the market. I would love to know the details of the situation. I was told by the company that they are doing further research and, maybem there might be another product like it. I use the Zavors now and have tried the Rapid Melts, but it's such a pain as you can't take them on an empty stomach. However, you can't eat or drink some 15 mins. before or after. That makes it rough, too, to use them in the middle of the night. The swabs were so easy and effective!! I MISS THEM! I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only one who feels this way.

LEANNA

And once again I agree, concur and support PamNC.

sheri_lp

I don't know - I think if there were no connection whatsoever to the product, it would still be on the shelves.

I never used Zicam but it must have some kind of addictive quality considering how much people miss it!

LEANNA

Oh Sheri.....good lord!

emcash

It wasn't addictive. It just worked! I never had an issue with it either. At the first sign of a cold, I would start using it and my colds would either never fully bloom or last 2 days. Usually they just wouldn't bloom. when i use them, I just used them at the very bottom of the nostril. I seem to remember reading somewhere that a problem occurred when people were sticking them way up their noses- but don't quote me on that, I can't seem to remember where i read it.

I wonder if it's a case of people not following simple directions? Like cold medicine for toddlers. They took them all off the shelves, not bc they were dangerous if used correctly, but people couldn't use them correctly- didn't realize when they might be overdosing their kids giving them 2 types of the same meds inadvertently.

The lozenges make me want to throw up, as does the spray. the swabs were perfect.

PamNC

Amen, and thank you dear friends, Leanna and emcash. I am sure that there are a lot of us out there who feel the same way. Makes no difference what the others think. The swabs saved me from many a cold and that is all that mattered to me. I guess that I will just ramp up on the immunine-boosters and pray for the best. I used the swabs at the first sign of a cold. Utilizing them on a plane was just an extra added protection. I don't care what they say about the air filtration systmes on planes, if you are sitting directly next to an individual who is coughing, sneezing and hacking up a lung, the close quarters make it totally uncomfortable for me. Since I can't do anything about it, I will just have to sit back and hope for the best. As for colds in general, which I abhor, I will just continue with preventive measures and pray that Zicam pulls its act together and brings back swabs of some sort. Thanks for the support everyone!

PamNC

P.S. Ooops, I got so carried away with my Zicam rant that I forgot to mention that "amyb" had a great suggestion of using Neosporin or Bacitracin on the swabs. Thank you!

LEANNA

Im going to try the Neosporin etc also but I have to say so far this winter the salt thing has worked. I've felt colds coming on and managed to "salt" them away!!! I guess now Im well seasoned.....ouuuu ouch!!!!Sorry!!!

My little cutie pie students just cough and sneeze away!!!!