"Zicam"

[Tikitoi]

Anyone ever used this? If so, any luck with it? We are going away next week and I don't know if I am just paranoid and making a big deal out of nothing. But for the past few days, I've been taking stuff for allergies, as I thought that's all it was with the sneezing and nose stuff and a little stuffiness but now I'm thinking it's a bit more. And I would HATE to go away, if I am sick. So any Zicam ideas or other ideas?

 

[Ohiodislover]

I swear by it!! I've used several times, and my mom even more. She has bad asthma so a cold can knock her out.

I didn't like the lozenges or swabs though. Leave a yuck taste. Get the nasal spray.

 

[Cool-Beans]

There is another DISer who swears by it. She was in the commercial.

I've never used it. Don't even know what it is supposed to do or how it is supposed to do it.

 

[bballmom56]

I've used it with pretty good success. Didn't work at all for my last cold, though.

 

[Tikitoi]

Thanks for the info. I figured for almost ten bucks, I'd rather ask. I saw them in Rapidmelts, so I think I will get those, even though I don't like swabs either.

 

[Carl]

Rush Limbaugh swears by it, but he also has it as a sponsor. I've noticed that he will tell you how much it is helping his cold, even though he is coughing and sniffing at the time. Then he will be off the show for a week or two with the cold. So, I'd say it really DOESN'T work, by the evidence presented by him.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I think it probably works (lessens the cold), but DO NOT get any form you have to put in your mouth. It is beyond gross and you can't drink or eat anything for 30 minutes afterwards.

 

[TangaroaTiki]

I swab my kids noses before school during the "germy" season and they are rarely sick - even then very mild. I use it myself also - and I can't remember how long it's been since I've been sick - years.

 

[joviroxx]

I swear by the stuff. The minute any of us feel a cold coming on, we bring out the Zicam. I can safely say any cold that we have gotten has been minor. Since we've been using it no one in our household has gotten a knock me out cold.

 

[Jockaroo]

I've used it and have to say it is hit or miss with me. I think the key is to begin using it at the very first sign of a cold. If you start later on, it doesn't do much. I think it has shortened the length of the cold for me and made the symptoms a little less severe. My best times are using right when hubby comes down with a cold. I know I'm getting it and I end up not being nearly as bad as he is. I use the nasty nose swabs. I can't tolerate the tablets.

 

[CowboyCO]

YES, YES, YES - for a cold.

It absolutely works!

 

[disney1990]

My DH swears by it. Took it at the first sign of his last cold and the cold never totally developed.

 

[SAHM*247]

Zicam is great, just take it on the early onset of a cold/flu/ whatev.
I like the clear Zicam flu liquid too.

 

[hoosll]

I have used it for years ... at the first sign of a cold (usually the roof of my mouth burns or tingles) I use the swabs.

It really shortens the length of the cold.

 

[4nana]

Our SonIL (a nurse) hooked us on Zicam a few years back and now all our family swears by this stuff ! I do child care, so needless to say am exposed to more than normally. I know without a doubt it's protected me more than once and our family of 17 took it on our recent WDW trip and thankfully no one got sick. I have had much success w/the nasal gel, throat spray and the Zicam w/C tablets if taken at first sign of cold. Good luck and hope you feel better soon for your trip.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Our SonIL (a nurse) hooked us on Zicam a few years back and now all our family swears by this stuff ! I do child care, so needless to say am exposed to more than normally. I know without a doubt it's protected me more than once and our family of 17 took it on our recent WDW trip and thankfully no one got sick. I have had much success w/the nasal gel, throat spray and the Zicam w/C tablets if taken at first sign of cold. Good luck and hope you feel better soon for your trip.

Ugh, I swear I'd rather have a cold. The throat spray was the first form of Zicam I tried and I about puked. It wouldn't be so bad if you could drink something to get that horrible taste out of your mouth, but the instructions say not to eat or drink anything for 30 minutes. Gag! I don't see how you can do it!

 

[tinker&belle]

My DH and I swear by it! I have heard bad things about the swabs from some people. We use the nasal sprays.

Another thing that works for me but not DH is the nettie pot. It looks gross, but don't knock it till you try it!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I use the swabs (they are not bad, you are only supposed to put them just inside your nostril, not all the way in.) whenever I feel a catch in my throat or any cold like symptom. I haven't had a cold in years. But I don't know if the Zicam actuallyy worked, or if I really wasn't coming down with a cold to begin with.

I would much prefer to put a swab a little bit into my nose for a few seconds than chew something, swallow something, or spray something into my mouth or nose.

 

[4nana]

Ugh, I swear I'd rather have a cold. The throat spray was the first form of Zicam I tried and I about puked. It wouldn't be so bad if you could drink something to get that horrible taste out of your mouth, but the instructions say not to eat or drink anything for 30 minutes. Gag! I don't see how you can do it!

I hear ya, but if a couple of unpleasant squirts saves me from a nasty cold, I'm willing to grin and bare it.

 

[Briarprincess]

I also swear by it! Saved me from so many colds working with kids who don't get the whole cover-your-mouth, wash-your-hands, use-tissues thing.
I just found Zicam Allergy swabs at Target on a clearance shelf. Marked down to under $4. Haven't tried them yet though.