Vicks VapoRub may help relieve cough and soothe sore muscles. Some anecdotal uses include relieving headaches, getting rid of acne, and repelling mosquitos, but no research supports these. Vicks VapoRub is a mentholated ointment made by the United States household and personal care manufacturer Procter & Gamble.
The salve, which was originally created by North Carolina pharmacist Lunsford Richardson to treat his son’s croup, has been in use for almost 125 years.
People are still creating uses for it—some of which are backed by science and others that are (so far) unknown.
What is Vicks VapoRub?
Vicks VapoRub is a mentholated topical ointment commonly used to relieve coughs and minor muscle aches. It’s applied to the chest, throat, and back to help ease congestion and discomfort associated with colds and respiratory issues. The active ingredients typically include menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oil, which produce a cooling sensation and provide temporary relief from symptoms.
Uses that have some scientific support
Relieving congestion
Vicks VapoRub is not a decongestant.
Strong menthol and camphor fumes, on the other hand, cause a cooling sensation in your nasal passages, triggering receptors in your brain that tell you to breathe more freely.
Adults who had a cold reported that the product enhanced their subjective sleep quality.
easing cough
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol as cough suppressants.
However, Vicks VapoRub is not indicated if your cough contains a lot of phlegm or is chronic, such as with asthma or emphysema.
To enhance effectiveness against cold symptoms, the manufacturer recommends the following steps:
- Apply this product to the chest and neck alone. Don’t put it near your mouth or nose.
- Drape a warm, dry cloth over your head while sitting or standing.
- Loosen any clothing over your chest and throat to allow vapors to rise to your nostrils.
- Repeat, if necessary, up to three times in 24 hours.
Soothing sore muscles.
Topical analgesics, or painkillers used topically, include menthol and camphor, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Products with menthol and camphor can have a strong cooling effect that may help to momentarily dull the pain in aching joints and muscles.
It has been discovered that medications containing camphor and menthol can help lessen neuropathic pain, muscular soreness, and osteoarthritis in the knee.
The authors do stress that additional research is necessary to substantiate the effectiveness of various pain management strategies.
Treating toenail fungus
Vicks VapoRub contains three active compounds with antifungal effects.
A 2011 study revealed that over-the-counter mentholated ointments could effectively treat toenail fungus.
Similarly, a tiny 2015 study suggested that it could be a cheaper alternative to pricey antifungal drugs, particularly for patients without insurance or who are socioeconomically disadvantaged.
Other Benefits of Vicks VapoRub
People have found a wide range of uses for Vicks VapoRub, but not all of them are backed by science.
Headaches
A topical treatment applied to the forehead, temples, base of the skull, and neck that included menthol—one of the chemicals in Vicks VapoRub—helped lessen migraine symptoms, according to a pair of small studies.
Acne
Because VapoRub by Vicks includes camphor oil, which may be a useful acne medication, some individuals think it can help clean up acne. a Vicks by itself does not, however, appear to be effective in treating acne.
In fact, utilizing it could backfire. The product contains petroleum jelly, which can cause breakouts for certain people.
Bug Repellent
Camphor oil has been demonstrated to repel certain mosquitos, thus some people use it as a bug repellent. However, scientists have not investigated Vicks’ effectiveness as an insect repellent.
There’s no reason to use Vicks VapoRub to avoid mosquitos when DEET or picaridin-containing treatments have been proven to be helpful.
Vicks VapoRub for stuffy nose: where to put it?
Using VVR may help you feel as though you can breathe easier if you have a congested nose. It does not, however, clear up nasal congestion.
Applying a thick layer of VVR to the chest and throat area is possible.
But alternative methods can work better for clearing a stuffy nose. Over-the-counter decongestant drugs could help reduce nasal pressure and enhance breathing.
Warnings & Cautions
According to health regulators and the product’s maker, you should avoid using Vicks VapoRub.
- on children under two years old.
- On open wounds
- Under tight bandages
Additional safety warnings include the following:
- Keep this product out of children’s reach.
- It should not be heated before use due to the risk of burning.
- Never consume or swallow Vicks VapoRub. When consumed, the substances might be harmful.
- In certain cases, It caused the skin under the nose to brighten.
- Long-term or excessive usage of it has resulted in an uncommon kind of pneumonia known as exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP).
If your cough or muscle stiffness lasts more than a week, consult a doctor.
Potential side effects of taking Vicks VapoRub
Some chemicals in Vicks VapoRub, particularly eucalyptus oil, may trigger an allergic reaction. In some situations, applying Vicks VapoRub to the skin might induce contact dermatitis. This is a skin rash, redness, or irritation caused by a chemical.
Vicks VapoRub should not be used if you have open or healed scrapes, cuts, or sores on your skin. Avoid it if you have sensitive skin. Some people may experience a burning sensation while using Vicks VapoRub.
Before applying Vicks VapoRub to your skin, test it on a small area. After 24 hours, inspect the region for any signs of an allergic reaction. Also, inspect your child’s skin before applying Vicks VapoRub.
Summary
Vicks VapoRub has been a medicine cabinet mainstay for almost 125 years. Although it is not classified as a decongestant, much evidence supports its usage to treat a stuffy nose or cough.
It may also reduce muscle and joint pain and prevent toenail fungal infections.
However, numerous anecdotal uses, such as attempting to reduce stretch marks, cure rough skin, and relieve migraines, are unsupported by data.
If you’re looking for a cure, consult a medical practitioner. They may offer the finest treatment for you.
FAQs
References
https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2010-1601
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/petroleum-jelly
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jana.2015.10.004
https://doi.org/10.1080/00325481.2013.1110566911
