Nasal discomfort can be caused by a lot of factors.  This can be due to colds, allergies, sinusitis or simply the weather alone.  Nasal discomfort can be the reason for dry nose, running nose, continuous sneezing, sinusitis and headaches as well.  Pharmaceutical companies came up with several medical treatments to ease nasal discomforts.  It may be in the form of oral medications like tablets, syrups, capsules or inhalers. 

Medicine came up with a temporary relief for these discomforts through the use of nasal rinses, sprays or gels.  For a quick fix of nasal discomfort, nasal gels have been introduced in the market.  Choosing the right nasal gel is critical since there are some side-effects that consumers should look out for in the medical literature enclosed with the product.  Next to keep in mind are the ingredients used by the manufacturer.  There are nasal gels that are saline-based which are non-medicated.  There are a variety of brands of nasal saline gel which gives a soothing effect for those with allergies and colds.  The saline nasal gel moisturizes dry, stuffy, sore noses and even prevents nose bleeding due to low humidity or dry weather.  This medication is readily available over the counter however there are some precautionary steps that consumers need to keep in mind when doing a purchase in your community pharmacy. 

It might be worth your while to speak to your local pharmacists regarding the effects of a nasal saline gel.  The most important to consider when buying this product is if the consumer has allergy with saline.  Since the product is mainly for topical use and does not contain chemicals, it is regarded as safe for over the counter purchase.

There are a lot of nasal gels in the market nowadays that treats several types of ailments.  Majority of the nasal gels are treatments for the nasal decongestion, common colds, sinusitis and allergies. 

Several brands are available in the market offering different types of relief for nasal discomfort due to colds like Zicam, Rhinaris, Vicks, Walgreens and Ayr that can be bought over the counter.  However, consumers should be extra careful and strict with dosages.  The ingredients of each brand differ depending on the strength of the medication.  Ayr is one of the leading brands and like its competitors, nasal gels are usually water-based and has special aloe added that helps soothe and moisturize dry, sore nasal cavities.  One brand of nasal gel treatment for colds that hit the headlines recently was Zicam produced by Matrixx Initiative, Inc.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a letter to the manufacturers of Matrixx ordering the recall of Zicam from the market due to a lawsuit against the company due to the products’ causing anosmia to those who used it. 

Anosmia is the condition wherein the person losses his smell and partially loses taste as well.  The active ingredient of Zicam that is linked to anosmia is zinc gluconate.  The lawsuit leads into a settlement wherein Matrixx agreed to pay $12 Million to the benefit of the petitioners who were victims of anosmia, claiming that they acquired the condition after one use of Zicam.  Another form of Zicam is still available in the market for over the counter purchase.