10 Potential Uses for Vicks VapoRub (2023)

FAQs

Does rubbing Vicks on your feet help you sleep? ›

Vicks rubbed on the chests of children with cold symptoms can improve their quality of sleep. 11 However, there's no evidence that rubbing it on someone's feet will help ensure a good night's rest.

Vicks Vaporub is also used for general pain relief with headaches, joint pains and muscle sprains.

In 1985, Procter & Gamble acquired the Vicks Chemical Company. Vicks VapoRub contains camphor, eucalyptus oil, menthol, cedarleaf oil, nutmeg oil, special petrolatum, thymol, and turpentine oil. People working in a morgue often smear Vicks VapoRub above their upper lip to mask the odor of a decomposing corpse.

According to Manway, Vicks VapoRub “isn't appropriate to be used on the face due to the thick, greasy vehicle that can easily clog pores and promote the cascade of further acne.” So, while using Vicks on a pimple likely isn't dangerous to your health, it could actually backfire and cause more acne.

Vicks VapoRub

Two of its active ingredients – menthol and camphor – are mild analgesics (pain relievers) and are used in anti-itch lotions. VapoRub also helps abscesses to rupture and drain, which provides more pain relief.

Vicks VapoRub is a topical ointment. Although designed for cough suppression, its active ingredients (camphor and eucalyptus oil) may help treat toenail fungus. A 2011 study found that Vicks VapoRub had a “positive clinical effect” in treating toenail fungus.

Using Vicks VapoRub on your feet or other areas of your body has a cooling effect. This is mainly because of the camphor and menthol. The cooling sensation of the vapor rub may be pleasing and temporarily help you feel better.

Dr. Ioli, who is chief of the podiatry service at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital, suggested that daily applications of Vicks VapoRub might be at least as effective as most of the topical treatments for toenail fungus that are available by prescription or over the counter.

Vicks Vapor Rub

Not just for coughs and colds, Vicks VaporRub can be very helpful if you have a swollen tooth. Put this rub on the painful area of your tooth and put a cloth or towel over it to keep the heat generated inside.

Your healthcare provider can also advise you on other methods to soothe congestion and body aches. But if you're looking for good ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we would suggest that you put down the Vick's, and reach for the hand soap instead.

Can you use Vicks as a lubricant? ›

Doctors swiftly debunked such claims. "Using Vicks VapoRub on the vagina would not only be uncomfortable, but also has the potential to cause damage and disrupt the natural flora of the vagina," gynecologist Dr. Vanessa Mackay told The Sun.

That Healing Aroma

Some versions of VapoRub and Tiger Balm also contain lavender, which has a smell known for its calming effects. It works by triggering pleasure receptors in the brain. “It's a very calming, soothing scent,” Bhattacharyya says.

Vicks Plant (Plectranthus tomentosa) (also known as Succulent Coleus or Cuban Oregano): A member of the mint family and has somewhat thin (but still succulent!) leaves. It's known for the minty, camphor fragrance of its leaves.

The main ingredients of Vicks VapoRub include camphor 4.8%, eucalyptus oil, menthol 2.6%, thymol, and several other ingredients. Thymol, or 5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl) phenol, is a phenol derivative that can have antiseptic and preservative properties.

Topical camphor absorbed through mucous membranes or broken skin also can be toxic. That's why you should never put VapoRub in or around the nostrils — especially a small child's nostrils.

For soft lips

Apply some Vicks VapoRub on your dehydrated and chapped lips to get soft and smooth lips.

VapoRub for Pain

The menthol and camphor in VapoRub work as topical analgesics, which means they can relieve minor aches and pains of the musculoskeletal system through the skin. They've been used that way for hundreds of years, and the benefits are backed by some medical research.

When a boil first appears, the pus-filled space inside the swollen bump (abscess) hasn't yet fully developed. In this phase, doctors usually recommend applying a warm, moist, antiseptic compress (a cloth pad held in place by a bandage) or a special ointment that draws (pulls) pus out of the boil.

Over-the-counter antibiotic ointment

Over-the-counter antibiotic cream, like Neosporin, can be effective for treating boils.

Put a warm, wet cloth on your boil for about 20 minutes, three or four times a day. This will help bring the boil to a head. The boil may open on its own with about 1 week of this treatment. If it doesn't, contact a doctor for possible incision and drainage in an office.

What is the white hard stuff under my toenails? ›

Keratin is a protein that promotes the development of the skin and nails. Nail psoriasis sometimes causes too much keratin to grow under the nail. This overgrowth is called subungual hyperkeratosis. People with hyperkeratosis may notice a white, chalky substance under the nail.

Oral antifungal drugs.

These drugs are often the first choice. One option is itraconazole (Sporanox). These drugs help a new nail grow free of infection, slowly replacing the infected part.

Soften your nails first by applying urea cream (Aluvea, Keralac) and wrapping your feet in bandages at night. Then, wash off the urea cream, and use a nail clipper and nail file to trim your nails. Apply an over-the-counter fungal treatment after you gently file your nails. Apply Vicks VapoRub on your toenail each day.

“Applying Vicks VapoRub to fungus-infected toenails can clear up the notoriously hard-to-treat condition. Michigan State University clinicians found that applying the product daily to the infected nail cleared the condition in 32 of 85 patients, though it took anywhere from 5 to 16 months…”

What's in Vicks VapoRub? combined into an ointment at levels in which they can deliver soothing, medicated vapors that last for up to 8 hours.

Vicks VapoRub does eventually expire, according to the company's website, and should not be used past the expiration date stamped on it.

Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic that isn't meant for killing toenail fungus. This medication is for treating cuts, burns and scrapes. But according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), hydrogen peroxide can kill some types of fungi, such as yeasts and moulds.

The best pill for toenail fungus is terbinafine. Evidence suggests it works better than the alternatives with the fewest side effects. Terbinafine results in resolution of toenail fungus 76% of the time.

The fastest way to eliminate the infection is through toenail laser treatment. Laser nail therapy specifically targets the microorganisms under your nail while leaving the keratin intact. In just a few treatments, the infection can be entirely eliminated.

Relieve sore muscles and arthritis: Rub some Vicks into it! Vicks has some anti-inflammatory properties that are great for achy muscles and arthritic joints. Just rub it in like you would body lotion into the affected spot and let it soak in. Get rid of headaches: Got a bad headache you just can't seem to shake?

Where do you put Vicks for headaches? ›

Topical application of Vicks Vaporub on chest, neck, forehead and back can be done gently rubbing, two to three times a day. It can also be inhaled as steam. Prepare a bowl of hot water that is not boiling and add one to two teaspoons of Vicks Vaporub.

Fluoride varnish is safe and used by dentists and doctors all over the world to help prevent tooth decay in children. Only a small amount is used, and hardly any fluoride is swallowed. It is quickly applied and hardens. Then it is brushed off after 4 to 12 hours.

Whether they actually tried this or just blathered nonsensically about Vaseline interfering with the test by “having no pH” isn't clear, but it is extremely unlikely that this ruse would work. The test requires very few viral particles, and in any case, these would become embedded in the Vaseline.

Camphor is commonly found in topical pain or arthritis body rubs. Examples of some common trade names containing camphor include Carmex, Tiger Balm, Vicks VapoRub, Campho-Phenique, etc. Camphor is readily absorbed across the skin, and should never be applied to dogs or cats due to risks for poisoning.

Vicks VapoRub may cause side effects like skin irritation and respiratory distress, but these are rare. Do not use it if you're allergic to any of its ingredients.

Natural-based oil lubricants — like avocado, coconut, vegetable, and olive oils — are great for genital massages and all types of sexual play. They're also safe for the vagina and safe to eat.

These include aloe vera, yogurt, olive oil, and virgin coconut oil. People should avoid the use of petroleum jelly, lotion, butter, or spit as lubricant alternatives, due to the increased risk of infection or irritation.

Eucalyptus belongs to the woody fragrance family, which is characterized by rich and aromatic fragrance notes. Its smell comes from the oil in the silvery-blue leaves of eucalyptus trees (which we'll talk about a bit later). Some say it smells like Vicks or Tiger Balm.

Vicks Vapor Rub® – Massaging one's feet with Vicks, particularly at night, soothes neuropathic pain and distress in one's feet and legs.

Treatments such as Vaporub might be able to alter the appearance of the hair you already have or make the hair appear thicker and help with issues such as dandruff. However, there is no scientific evidence of it stimulating the hair follicles and resulting in new hair growth.

What was Vicks originally used for? ›

Originally named “Vicks Family Remedies” our most sought after product was Croup & Pneumonia Salve. Later named VapoRub, it was created by Lunsford Richardson out of love and concern for his sick son. Young Smith Richardson had a severe case of croup.

Never eat or swallow Vicks VapoRub. The ingredients are toxic when ingested. There have been cases when Vicks VapoRub caused the skin under the nose to lighten. There have been rare cases when long-term or excessive use of Vicks VapoRub caused a rare form of pneumonia.

Vicks VapoRub was invented by Lunsford Richardson, Davidson College class of 1875. He first called it Richardson's Magic Croup and Pneumonia Cure Salve, then Vick's Magic Salve, and finally Vicks VapoRub, after his doctor brother-in-law.

Vicks Vaporub is also used for general pain relief with headaches, joint pains and muscle sprains.

For adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over, Vicks vaporub should be rubbed liberally on the chest, throat and back underneath loose clothing to allow the vapour to be inhaled. Alternatively, two teaspoonfuls can be melted in hot (not boiling) water to use as a steam inhalation.

Place one vapor rub melt on your shower floor and allow the hot water to run over it. This will activate the vapors from the Vicks rub to cause a steam in your shower that will help ease a cold or congestion. Check out this FAQ by Vicks on how you can use VapoRub.

Topical camphor absorbed through mucous membranes or broken skin also can be toxic. That's why you should never put VapoRub in or around the nostrils — especially a small child's nostrils. And if VapoRub gets in your eye, it can injure your cornea.

“Applying Vicks VapoRub to fungus-infected toenails can clear up the notoriously hard-to-treat condition. Michigan State University clinicians found that applying the product daily to the infected nail cleared the condition in 32 of 85 patients, though it took anywhere from 5 to 16 months…”

Safe Use. While Bhattacharyya says products like VapoRub are generally quite safe when used according to their label, he recommends against inhaling large amounts of VapoRub or any similar product because it can get deep into the sinus cavity and lungs, potentially causing inflammation and allergic reactions.

Know that Vick's VapoRub is solely for external use only and that it should go no where near your eyes. You should never eat it, put it into your nostrils or apply it to cut skin. If your cough doesn't go away after a couple of weeks, head to see your GP.

Is it OK to smell Vicks? ›

It's not safe to use VVR inside or around your nose. If you do, it could be absorbed into your body through the mucus membranes lining your nostrils. VVR contains camphor, which can have toxic effects inside your body. Ingesting camphor is especially dangerous for young children.

Another ingredient of Vick's VapoRub — eucalyptus oil — contains a natural chemical called 1,8-cineole. This compound gives it antibacterial and antiviral properties. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. This means it may help soothe pain and reduce swelling.

In addition to being packaged in plastic, your trusty tub of vapor rub includes petroleum (petrolatum aka petroleum jelly) as one of the primary ingredients!

An all-time favourite home remedial trick, Vicks Vaporub is imbued with eucalyptus oil that has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties; it also has menthol that can clear clogging caused due to mild or chronic inflammation.

have to rub it all over, just apply small dabs on your ankles, wrists, neck, inner elbows, knees and behind your ears. The smell of the menthol in it will repel the insects away. You can also rub it on any mosquito bites you may already have and it will relieve the itching.

Vicks contains petroleum jelly, which is not generally advisable for the scalp, although it shouldn't pose too much of a problem if the scalp is healthy.”