Don't confuse Zicam with homeopathic remedies

“Thank you for a disturbing and confusing article about Zicam and homeopathic remedies (June 18).

Zicam is a 2 percent zinc solution. As early as 2004, intranasal zinc reportedly caused asomnia (loss of smell) in a few patients. The common cold also can cause asomnia. 

Patients examined who developed asomnia reported inhaling the intranasal zinc formula deeply followed by hours of burning and loss of smell.

The article combined Zicam with homeopathics, an entirely separate area of alternative medicine.

The article cited 800 homeopathic reactions, but it is grouping products like Zicam in with true homeopathics.

Homeopathic remedies that have been diluted greater than 12 times have not been shown to be harmful. At that dilution, less than 1 quadrillionth of the original substance remains. Remedies in the 1-3 times dilution still contain significant amounts of the original substance and should be taken only under a physician's supervision.

Checking the ingredients of a remedy and avoiding anything below a 12 times dilution should help consumers avoid harm.

Christopher Maloney, Augusta”