Vicks VapoRub is a well-known product for reducing cold symptoms. Vicks may be used to treat symptoms like a stuffy nose by applying it to the throat and chest. Applying Vicks to the foot, however, is unlikely to have any effect.
Although it is feasible to apply Vicks to other parts of the body, such as the feet, it is unknown if doing so may lessen the symptoms of a cold.
Learn more about applying Vicks to the foot, how the product functions in general, and various substitutes by continuing to read?
Does it operate?
Applying Vicks to the feet is unlikely to have any impact on cold symptoms. However, no specific investigation has been made on this.
Vicks’ potential health advantages mostly result from inhalation, thus it has to be placed close to the nose in order to be effective. Vicks is probably too far away to breathe if it is on the feet.
Vicks can also produce a cooling feeling, which could be beneficial for cold-related hot flushes. Vicks does not, however, really reduce body temperature. Because of this, it is uncertain if administering Vicks to the feet would have much of an impact on the body beyond giving the feet a cooling sensation.
Vicks are sometimes used to treat mild aches and pains in muscles. Applying Vicks to the foot could be able to alleviate these feelings there.
Remember that Vicks does not address the root causes of a cold. There is limited data on how helpful this substance is at reducing any symptoms, despite the widespread belief that it offers momentary symptom alleviation.
One investigation published in the journal PediatricsTrusted Source looked at 138 kids between the ages of 2 and 11 to see how Vicks affected them. The researchers discovered that Vicks helped reduce symptoms at night and enhanced the quality of sleep as compared to petroleum jelly or no therapy at all.
How does Vicks function?
Three active components in Vicks are in charge of its effects:
Eucalyptus oil 4.7% in camphor 2.6% menthol and 1.2%
Many oils and ointments include camphor, which is derived from the wood of Cinnamomum camphora plants. Congestion and coughing relief are their key benefits. Additionally, it has antispasmodic properties, which aid in relaxing muscles and reducing muscular pain.
Due to its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral qualities, eucalyptus oil is a common ingredient in goods. It can ease cold symptoms and aid in clearing the airways.
One of the key chemical elements of peppermint oil is menthol. It has the same decongestant properties as eucalyptus.
These components work together to treat mild muscular aches and pains, coughs, and decongestion.
The remainder of Vicks is made up of several inactive components. These consist of:
- Cypress oil
- A lemon scent
- Special petrolatum nutmeg
- Turpentine oil with thymol
- The texture of Vicks is one of the other characteristics that these components contribute to.
What the study finds
Research on Vicks VapoRub’s efficacy is few. Furthermore, none of this research examines how well it works on the foot.
A study comparing petroleum jelly and Vicks VapoRub
In one studyTrusted Source, youngsters with coughs and colds were given petroleum jelly, vapour rub, or nothing at all at night. Vapour rub was cited by the parents as the remedy that reduced symptoms the most.
The research makes no mention of the type of vapour rub administered or where it was placed on the body. If Vicks VapoRub was applied to the feet, it probably wouldn’t have the same anti-cold effects.
Penn State University’s parent survey
According to Penn State research, Vicks VapoRub is more effective than other over-the-counter cough and cold remedies at treating cold symptoms in children. 138 youngsters between the ages of 2 and 11 participated in the vapour rub study.
Thirty minutes before sleep, parents were instructed to use Vicks VapoRub on their child’s chest and neck. Vicks VapoRub reportedly helped parents’ children sleep better and lessen their cold symptoms, according to questionnaires completed by the parents.
When using Vicks VapoRub, take precautions
Its benefits for congestion and other cold symptoms are probably best experienced by smelling it. Because of this, the company advises against using it anywhere other than your chest and neck.
If applied to the feet, it won’t treat cold symptoms.
However, using Vicks VapoRub on tired, achy feet won’t help with cold symptoms like a stuffy nose or sinus congestion. You might also apply too much VapoRub to your feet if you believe it isn’t working.
Avoid using in your nostrils or underneath your nose.
Vicks VapoRub should not be applied to the face, inside the nostrils, or beneath the nose. Vicks VapoRub might be inadvertently swallowed by a kid or adult if it is placed in or close to the nose.
Keep out of children’s reach.
Even a few tablespoons of camphor in the stomach can be harmful to an adult and deadly for a toddler. Camphor is harmful at larger levels and can harm brain neurons. In extreme circumstances, this can cause infants and young children to experience seizures.
Stay away from the eyes
After applying Vicks VapoRub, keep your eyes from being rubbed. If it gets in your eyes, it could irritate and possibly hurt your eyes.
If consumed or if you experience an allergic response, see a doctor
If you believe you or your kid may have accidentally ingested Vicks VapoRub, or if you experience eye or nose discomfort after using it, consult a doctor right once.
Read Also: Uses of Vicks vaporub rub
Vicks VapoRub adverse effects that may occur
Eucalyptus oil is one of the chemicals in Vicks VapoRub that has the potential to trigger an allergic response. Vicks VapoRub usage on the skin occasionally may result in contact dermatitis. This is a chemically-induced skin rash, redness, or irritation.
If you have any wounds, scrapes, or sores on your skin that are open or healing, avoid using Vicks VapoRub. Also, stay away from it if you have delicate skin. Vicks VapoRub may cause a burning feeling in certain users.
Vicks VapoRub should be tested on a small area of skin before use. After 24 hours, look around for any indications of an allergic response. Before applying Vicks VapoRub to your child, inspect their skin as well.
Conclusion
For more than 125 years, Vicks VapoRub has been a mainstay in medical cabinets. Despite not being classified as a decongestant, the product can effectively treat a stuffy nose and cough, according to reliable research.
There is proof that the ointment’s camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol make it a suitable option for easing joint and muscular discomfort. Additionally, several studies revealed that it is effective in curing toenail fungal infections.
Vicks VapoRub is a well-liked option for those who want to get rid of outside pests, mend rough skin, alleviate migraines, and remove stretch marks.
Although it has been tested as an acne treatment, there may be better options available that don’t run the risk of causing irritation as some of its constituents may.
Be cautious while employing this training technique. Some people have used the highly scented ointment to prevent dogs from clawing or urinating on furnishings. Animals may be at risk from Vicks VapoRub’s components.
Vicks VapoRub is often safe for use on adults and older children. Use caution when administering it to children under the age of two since it might seriously harm their health.