Problems With Zicam T O P I C Discussion Started: 02-06-2004, 11:27 AM
Imagine not being able to smell anything -- fresh coffee, mountain air or a loved one's perfume. 7NEWS investigator John Ferrugia found people around the country who say they lost their sense of smell permanently after using Zicam.
Discuss your experiences with the over-the-counter cold remedy.
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dcray 02-10-2004, 3:32 PM
In January of 2003 I used Zicam gell on and off for two consecutive weeks while fighting a bad head cold. When the cold subsided I had found I lost all smell and most of my taste. The only liquid sinus medicine used was Zicam gell. I did take vitamin "C" and echinasia tablets. What a coincedence. Since then I have seen two doctors and both have said that it us unusual for someone my age to loose their smell. That it would take a miracle for that sense to return.
What to do next? Any suggestions
RonA58 02-09-2004, 10:05 PM
used Zicam for the first time last summer for a cold i had and when the cold went away i realized my sense of smell was gone. What I can smell is awful,the aroma of anything cooking is terrible. Now Im convinced the problem was caused by the zicam gel. To all that have written in about how great zicam works, let me just say that i dont blame you for bragging about a product that works well for you, but understand that this product has harmful effects for some others and this product is unsafe, as no one can possibly know if it will have the same effects on them. its not worth the risk.
skeith 02-09-2004, 9:23 PM
I wrote once before, and wanted to add a couple of thoughts after reading the discussion. I used Zicam for years with wonderful results. Just once, perhaps it was further in the nostril than any other time, was all it took...horrible burning,loss of smell/taste. I continue to use Zicam, in one of the other forms (I like the spray). The people who are using the nasal gel, please follow the directions carefully. Susan
Roxanne31 02-09-2004, 8:29 PM
I was reading an article today found in the NY Daily News re: Zicam.
For the past few months AFTER using this product, i've been experiencing Nasal discomfort. Itching, Burning, Dryness etc and never considered that it was a result of Zicam.
Everthing is clicking now. EVERYTHING.
I'm kind of excited and nervous.... Excited because I understand why I'm having these problems.. and nervous... THAT'S self explanatory.
I have lost some senses....
Smile, it's contagious
compsult 02-09-2004, 2:41 PM
Used to get 6 - 8 colds a year, some would get severe, reaching my lungs and causing days of lost work, missed social events. Since Zicam, I have not been sick even 1 time. This stuff has changed my life. It is a tragedy if some have an impaired or even lost their sense of smell.
I pray they don't take this godsend off the market... Mike
jamestberk 02-09-2004, 11:31 AM
A good resource is "Effects of Intranasal Applications of Zinc Salts" personal.ecu.edu
mgpars 02-09-2004, 10:40 AM
It has been over one year since I used Zicam and lost my sense of smell. I too experienced the intense burning not only in my nasal passages but also in my head. Consulted with a specialist and was told I might "have had an alergic reaction" as he had not heard of this before. My sense of smell has gradually returned but is extremely diminished and skewed (different odors than what it should smell like)and of course my sense of taste has consequently been altered. It seems to me after reading these posts that there IS a problem with this product which is extremely and irrevocably damaging to the consumer.
19thtee 02-08-2004, 7:10 PM
This is the best stuff going for a cold. I have used it for two seasons without a problem and have told many of my friend and family about how good it is. none of them have had problems either.
When I use to go to Col Springs my sinus would always be a problem (dry) and even get nose bleeds. I wonder if the dry climate would be part of the problem?
thanks, from california
Robinsong 02-08-2004, 1:47 PM
I am an avid user of Zicam for the last 2 years, it works very well for me in diminishing symptoms of the cold. However, I have noticed a severe decline in my sense of smell in the last 2 years and found this group in doing an internet search for underlying causes for this problem. I am shocked and dismayed, not only because I will never use Zicam again, but the fear that I will never smell again. This is HORRIBLE. Any hope of recovery out there?
Now_I_Know 02-08-2004, 11:06 AM
I knew there was something about that spray. The news report confirmed it. I am very frustrated about this because all I meant to do was use my allergy nasal spray. It was a horrible mistake. I grabbed the spray bottle from my medicine cabinet. The room was dark and I did not double check what I was using. I sniffed it up my nose just like the allergy spray says. The pain and burning was overwhelming and lasted for a good three hours and my nose felt numb for a while after the pain went away. Now I can't smell anything. You never know how much you appreciate something until it's gone. Everything tastes bland. All I can taste is sweet, sour or salty things. I feel like I've been violated. Those two bottles look exactly alike. This is not right. The TV report said that Zicam has been studied for colds but has not been tested for consumer safety because it is homeopathic. With all this evidence, zinc spray makers should do something besides their cold studies to make certain that it is safe for customers to use. Especially when you make a product that puts human senses at risk. Don't leave any doubt. I admit that I made a careless mistake but it cost me my sense of smell. I'm so mad about this. I never had anything like this happen with any allergy spray I have ever used. I hope zinc nasal spray makers avoid making zinc eye drops or zinc ear drops. I am going to a specialists. Maybe there is a way to get it back.
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Carolyn St 02-08-2004, 10:25 AM
Hi I live in Denver Colorado and I too have experienced a diminished sense of smell and taste after using Zicam nasal spray. In October of 2003 I started to feel a cold coming on so I reached for Zicam as I have a couple to times in the past. This time was different--I felt extreme burning in my nose and my eyes started to water unconrollably for several minutes. I just thought it was because my sinuses were inflamed from my cold. It wasn't until after my cold was gone that I realized something was wrong. I could not smell or taste. I called my doctor who told me to give it a few more days and then to make an appointment if I did not notice a difference. I went in for a scheduled physical and she prescribed an antibiotic because by sinuses looked swollen and inflamed to her. This did not help. Now with this investigation I have come to realize I may never be able to smell or taste in the same way again. I am so saddened by this news. I used this product because I felt safe--there were no warnings on the package. I want people to be aware that you can use this product once or maybe more times without any problem--but then it only takes that one time to change your life forever!!
Ruth25 02-07-2004, 9:59 PM
I've used Zicam for years and think it's absolutely a wonderful product! It's been great for family and friends too. Wouldn't do without it.
Ginny44 02-07-2004, 9:51 PM
I also have loss my smell. I though that my stop smoking 03-19-03 was the answer. Then in aug. I was all stuffed up and started taking Zicom.I have done it several time through the winter. Here in Mn. with the heat on and all the cold weather I get stuffed up a lot. The first thing I did was grab the Zicam. So I could stop a cold from comming on...I have had no smell since Aug. Did not think it could be the Zicam.
Sparkywoof 02-07-2004, 5:23 PM
Our family consists of my wife and me, our four married kids and their families, for a total of 17 people. Since 5 of the kids are under 10, they don't count but the other 12 do.
All of us have used Zicam at some time or another over the past two years when our son first heard about it.
The stuff works as advertised, and with one exception no-one has had a burning sensation or any other problem.
One of my daughters didn't read the directions and put the nozzle well up into her nose the first time rather than depositing the stuff right inside the nose holes. But then again, she's always been the one who goes through life "winging it" and not paying attention to the details.
Cheers, and good luck to all.
Ol' Spark
Hertha 02-07-2004, 2:56 PM
Neither I, nor my family and friends have had any adverse affects from Zicam. We have used it for several years and followed the directions on the bottle very carefully. We have had very good results. Sorry about the problems others are having.
dcroley 02-07-2004, 8:57 AM
I've used Zicam for several years without any olfactory impact. I made the mistake of sniffing the solution up into my nasal cavity ONCE and after the intense burning subsided, will never made that mistake again.
Did any of you who have experienced problems only place the solution at the tip of your nose?
gaeiii 02-06-2004, 8:09 PM
Hi, I developed an extreme, extreme, extreme, extreme pain inside my head from using a zinc gluconate nasal spray. I thought my brain was on fire. I had no idea that my brain could burn so hot and so sharp. The pain was instant and all consuming. It filled my entire head with pain, up to my scalp and down to my chin, from my nose to the back of my head, severe unremiting pain, much worse than fire, or a kidney stone, or a broken arm, truly unimaginable pain, like the pain one must feel when being crucified - a pain that one cannot escape. It would not go away, and it hurt for many hours. I nearly fainted and nearly went into shock. That was the last time I did that, and I will do it again. I made a mistake once, but won't be stupid and do it again. Never squirt liquid zinc up your nose! IT CAN REALLY HURT. I didn't develop any smell or taste problems like the lady did, maybe because I shot water up my nose trying to put out the fire. I shot water, and shot water and shot water and about drowned several times, but the pain would not go away. I finally laid my head down in the sink and kept a steady stream of water running into my nose from the sprayer in the sink. I coughed and sputtered and looked cross-eyes, crying to my wife. I was trembling with pain and there was nothing I could do to stop it. I wanted to die it hurt so much. It wouldn't go away, and it wouldn't go away, and wouldn't go away, and wouldn't go away. I picked up the bottle and threw it away, never, never, never squirt liquid metal into the nose! Give me an acetalyene torch instead, I would rather sniff flame instead!
hhaze 02-06-2004, 7:06 PM
I live in Charlotte, NC and was just watching the news...couldn't believe my eyes. My use of Zicam over the past 2 years could be the reason my sense of smell is gone and has been gone for 5 months. I, too, have gone to the dr many times only to be given several antibiotics with the hopes that this was merely a presistent sinus infection. The dr also ordered a sinus scan. I am slowly getting some smell back, but not 100%, and after reading your posts and seeing this article, I am thinking I may not ever get it all back.
skeith 02-06-2004, 6:21 PM
It was eerie hearing Linda's description of her experience this morning on GMA. Mine was exactly the same. The burning was so severe I kept trying to relieve it in any way possible. It lasted for quite a while. Next day.. no smell/taste. After some months of "waiting" for it to return, I finally tried Z pak, which is actually an antibiotic. It took 2 rounds, but my sense of smell is gradually coming back, although everything still has a slightly metalic taste. What a horrible experience. Susan
linda7 02-06-2004, 4:58 PM
Take notice people..Zicam isn't the only spray causing loss of smell and taste..cold-eeze has recently done the same to me. I've lost my sense of smell and taste and i'm mad as heck about it! There were no warnings telling me those were some of the risks. It's a disgusting feeling not being able to tast my food and just feel texture in my mouth. My sense of smell is shot!! I dnever took the time to stop and think about just how important these senses were. Imagine how horrible you feel when you have a cold and lose your taste and smell..well think about that feeling lasting, lasting, lasting....and not coming back. I don't care how big and powerful these companies think they are, i for one will fight them until they either get the product off the market or put a notice on the product for the consumer for all of our safety!
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mlkh 02-06-2004, 3:21 PM
After using Zicam on 12/31/03, my cold symptoms were not improved, I had intense burning for several hours and swelling of nasal passages. I have not regained my sense of smell or taste since using Zicam. I will suffer the cold and NEVER use that gel again!
M. Hadley
dwoloszyk 02-06-2004, 3:04 PM
My husband and I both use Zicam gel and have not had any problems. We think it's great.
Susan4300 02-06-2004, 1:53 PM
Have not lost sense of smell, but had a few unusual nosebleeds in the 2 weeks that followed my single use of Zicam. Though the cold's duration was definitely reduced from the typical duration, the cost of major dryness. Thanks for the information on Zinc's effect on the nostril; it's not worth the risk.
jamestberk 02-06-2004, 12:01 PM
Internasal Zinc FAQ coldcure.com
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