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Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: boswife on December 13, 2009, 10:03:40 AM

Title: Zicam or airborn when hemo patients
Post by: boswife on December 13, 2009, 10:03:40 AM
Im wondring if it's ok for my hubby to take either of these as a hemo patient..  Anyone know?  he's getting a bit sniffly and beings i was too i figure he's going to get sick and would love to ward it off.. I know it works for me but just dont know for you guys.  Being sunday,i cant call dr so grasping straws here.  Thanks for any info....THE wife :-)
Title: Re: Zicam or airborn when hemo patients
Post by: del on December 13, 2009, 11:11:06 AM
Is there a drugstore open close by where you could talk to a pharmacist.  I would be very cautious using anything that is not prescibed with a dialysis patient.
Title: Re: Zicam or airborn when hemo patients
Post by: RightSide on December 13, 2009, 01:43:58 PM
If you're referring to the Zicam nasal gel, NOBODY should use that, whether or not they have kidney disease.

Topical zinc applied to the nose can cause anosmia (loss of the sense of smell), which can be permanent.   I tried Zicam nasal gel for a cold once, and my sense of smell did not return for seven more months.

As for Airborne, there's no evidence that it's effective.

The best thing to do for a cold is isotonic saline nasal irrigation.  Get a syringe, fill it with isotonic saline, squirt it up the nose to flush out the infected secretions there.  Repeat every few hours.

You may find Neil-Med "Sinus Rinse" irrigation kits at your local drugstore.
Title: Re: Zicam or airborn when hemo patients
Post by: boswife on December 13, 2009, 02:48:25 PM
Thanks so much to both of you!  And as far as the nose 'spray' stuff, nope, not that, i was thinking of the things kind of like the airborn thats a tablet you melt in your mouth and it's a vitiman thing i think.  So, wont be doing anyway, and DANG!!  im glad im afraid of meds sometimes after reading of your experience with nasial spray,, geesh!!  I do have a Neti pot (i think thats what it's called) and also the other bottle you use to flush your nose with salien so will get him to do that now.  Again, much appreciated info here  :bow;
Title: Re: Zicam or airborn when hemo patients
Post by: RightSide on December 13, 2009, 05:34:06 PM
Thanks so much to both of you!  And as far as the nose 'spray' stuff, nope, not that, i was thinking of the things kind of like the airborn thats a tablet you melt in your mouth and it's a vitiman thing i think.  So, wont be doing anyway, and DANG!!  im glad im afraid of meds sometimes after reading of your experience with nasial spray,, geesh!!  I do have a Neti pot (i think thats what it's called) and also the other bottle you use to flush your nose with salien so will get him to do that now.  Again, much appreciated info here  :bow;
Just make sure that you disinfect your Neti pot or other bottle with Clorox every 5 days or so.
Title: Re: Zicam or airborn when hemo patients
Post by: boswife on December 13, 2009, 06:23:22 PM
will do  :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: Zicam or airborn when hemo patients
Post by: kitkatz on December 13, 2009, 07:47:16 PM
I was told no to Zicam ever.