Vicks VapoRub may ease aching muscles and reduce coughing. There’s no scientific evidence to support several anecdotal applications, such as treating acne, reducing headaches, and keeping mosquitoes away.
Procter & Gamble is a US-based developer of household and personal care products. Vicks VapoRub is a mentholated ointment.
The salve was created more than 125 years ago by pharmacist Lunsford Richardson of North Carolina to cure his son’s croup.
Its applications continue to grow; some are supported by science, while others remain (as of yet) unexplored.
What is VapoRub by Vicks?
The following active ingredients are listed by Procter & Gamble in Vicks VapoRub:
camphor (4.8%).
menthol (2.6%).
1.2% of eucalyptus oil
Additionally, it has a number of dormant components that could account for some of its well-known applications, such as:
Cedar Leaf Oil
petroleum thymol nutmeg oil turpentine oil
The ointment smells strongly like menthol and feels kind of like petroleum jelly.
Applications with some scientific backing
Vicks VapoRub has been suggested by medical professionals, researchers, and the product’s maker for the following uses.
Reducing traffic
It is not a decongestant, Vicks VapoRub.
On the other hand, strong menthol and camphor fumes chill your nasal passages and cause your brain’s receptors to see your breathing as more open.
Adults with colds who used Vicks VapoRub reported better subjective sleep quality in a 2017 research.
Reducing coughing
As cough suppressants, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oil.
However, if you have a persistent cough, such as one brought on by asthma or emphysema, or if your cough produces a lot of phlegm, Vicks VapoRub is not advised.
The company suggests doing the following to optimize the treatment of cold symptoms:
Apply a little application of Vicks VapoRub just to your neck and chest. Avoid using it in your nose or close to your mouth.
If you are sitting or standing, cover your head with a warm, dry towel.
To allow vapors to ascend to your nasal area, undo any clothes that is covering your throat and chest.
Repeat up to three times in a 24-hour period, if necessary.
Easing strained muscles
Both menthol and camphor are classified by the NIH as topical analgesics, or skin-applied painkillers.
Products with menthol and camphor can have a strong cooling effect that may momentarily block out the discomfort of aching muscles and joints.
A review for 2023Products containing menthol and camphor, according to Trusted Source, may help ease neuropathic pain, muscular soreness, and knee osteoarthritis discomfort.
The authors do point out that more study is required to validate these items’ ability to relieve pain.
Taking care of fungal nails
Vicks VapoRub’s three active components have antifungal qualities.
OTC mentholated ointments may be a useful treatment for toenail fungus, according to a 2011 research.
Comparably, a tiny 2015 study discovered that Vicks VapoRub could be a more affordable option than pricey antifungal drugs, particularly for those without insurance or who might be from a low-income background.
Find out more about these ten DIY treatments for toenail fungus.
Other applications that users claim to find useful
Despite the fact that there is little to no data to support the following applications of Vicks VapoRub, several users have reported positive outcomes from their trials.
Stretch marks fading
After a time of rapid development, stretch marks—purplish, red, or white lines—appear on the skin. They often show up during pregnancy and adolescence.
There is no proof that any topical treatment or lotion may effectively lessen stretch marks, according to researchersTrusted Source. However, some users claim that Vicks VapoRub works well in fading stretch marks.
Find out more about removing stretch marks.
Educating animals
Some individuals think that Vicks VapoRub’s strong smell deters dogs from peeing on or damaging furnishings in the house.
If you apply a tiny bit of the product to the desired place, your pet may stay away, but make sure they can’t lick or chew the ointment off of the surface.
Keep Vicks VapoRub away from your pet’s skin at all times.
Animals are poisonous to camphor. When used in sufficient quantities, it can result in skin reactions, convulsions, and even death.
healing the tough skin on your heels
Petroleum jelly is recommended as a moisturizer by the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) because it prevents moisture from escaping, especially when applied to wet skin.
This might be the reason why some people feel that Vicks VapoRub helps to repair their heels and feet’s rough skin.
Nevertheless, more investigation is required to validate the anecdotal reports of its efficaciousness in treating callused, dry foot skin.
Keeping mosquitoes away
A review for 2020According to a reliable source, Vicks VapoRub is widely used in Colombia to help deter insects and relieve mosquito bites.
A review from 2013Certain mosquito species can be repelled by the camphor oil in Vicks VapoRub, according to Trusted Source. Likewise, a 2012 research (Trusted Source) indicates that menthol-containing products could work well against mosquitoes.
To support the use of Vicks VapoRub as a mosquito repellent, additional study is necessary.
Currently, the most effective repellents for mosquitoes are picaridin and DEET.
Taking care of acne lesions
Vicks VapoRub has been advocated by beauty bloggers as an overnight acne cure.
According to research, certain of the components in Vicks VapoRub may promote the healing of blemishes, while other ones may make acne worse.
For instance, camphor essential oil has been suggested by doctors as a cure for acne.
Getting Rid of Headaches
A review from 2015According to Trusted Source, applying menthol-containing gels and ointments to the base of the skull may help reduce headaches.
But compared to Vicks VapoRub (2.6%), the tested items had much more menthol (6% and 10%).
Vicks VapoRub is not recommended for treating headaches according to current research.
But another element in Vicks VapoRub, petroleum jelly, can lead to outbreaks. For skin that is prone to acne, the AAD advises avoiding using products containing petroleum jelly.
Find out more about these 14 acne home cures.
Cautions and warnings
The product’s maker and health authorities advise against using Vicks VapoRub:
on young toddlers less than two with open wounds covered with tight bandages
Some cautions about safety are as follows:
Keep Vicks VapoRub out of children’s reach at all times.
Before using Vicks VapoRub, avoid heating it since this may result in burns.
Never consume or ingest Vicks VapoRub. When consumed, the substances are poisonous.
Vicks VapoRub has occasionally caused the skin behind the nose to brighten.
Rare instances of exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP), a rare kind of pneumonia, have been linked to prolonged or excessive Vicks VapoRub usage (Trusted Source).
See a doctor if the tightness in your muscles or cough persists for more than a week.
Frequently requested inquiries
What is the purpose of Vicks VapoRub?
Vicks VapoRub may be able to ease mild joint and muscular soreness as well as coughs.
When is it inappropriate to use Vicks VapoRub?
If you have a phlegmy cough or a chronic cough linked to smoking and asthma, you shouldn’t take Vicks VapoRub. Additionally, it is not advised for kids under the age of two.
When using Vicks VapoRub with COVID-19, is it okay?
Menthol-containing products are not advised for COVID-19 patients. Menthol can cause your brain’s receptors to fire, giving you the impression that you’re breathing more clearly than you actually are and making you misjudge how bad your symptoms are. Delaying required medical treatment might be the outcome of this.
Why should you massage your foot with Vicks VapoRub at night?
Applying Vicks VapoRub to your feet is said by some to alleviate cold symptoms. But there isn’t any empirical data to back up this notion. According to the manufacturer’s instructions, apply the product to your chest.
Conclusion
For almost 125 years, Vicks VapoRub has been a mainstay in medicine cabinets. Despite not being classified as a decongestant, there is strong evidence to support its usage in treating coughs and stuffy noses.
In addition, it could help prevent fungal infections in the toenails and alleviate discomfort in the muscles and joints.
However, there is little proof to back up many anecdotal applications, such trying to repair rough skin, remove stretch marks, or relieve migraines.
Seek advice from a medical expert if you’re seeking for solutions. They could be able to treat you the finest.