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.
Originally formulated by North Carolina pharmacist Lunsford Richardson to treat his son’s croup, the salve has been around for more than 125 years.
People are still inventing uses for it — some of which are backed by science and others that are (so far) unstudied.
Procter & Gamble lists the following active ingredients in Vicks VapoRub:
- camphor (4.8%)
- menthol (2.6%)
- eucalyptus oil (1.2%)
It also contains several inactive ingredients that may be responsible for some of its popular uses, including:
- cedar leaf oil
- nutmeg oil
- petrolatum
- thymol
- turpentine oil
The salve has a strong menthol scent and a petroleum jelly-like texture.
Doctors, researchers, and the product’s manufacturer have recommended Vicks VapoRub for the following purposes.
Relieving congestion
Vicks VapoRub isn’t a decongestant.
However, strong menthol and camphor vapors create a cooling sensation in your nasal passages, triggering receptors in your brain to feel that you’re breathing more openly.
In a 2017 study, adults with a cold reported that using Vicks VapoRub helped improve subjective sleep quality.
Easing cough
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) lists camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol as cough suppressants.
That said, Vicks VapoRub isn’t recommended if your cough has lots of phlegm or if it’s chronic, such as with asthma or emphysema.
The manufacturer recommends following these steps to maximize effectiveness for cold symptoms:
- Rub a layer of Vicks VapoRub on your chest and neck only. Don’t use it near your mouth or in your nostrils.
- Drape a warm, dry cloth over your head while you’re sitting upright or standing.
- Loosen any clothing around your chest and throat so vapors can rise to your nose area.
- Repeat, if needed, up to three times in 24 hours.
Not on your noseAvoid putting Vicks VapoRub on, in, or around your nose.
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2018 review suggests camphor may be absorbed through your mucous membranes and is toxic, especially to toddlers and babies.
- The
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates that no over-the-counter (OTC) product can contain more than 11% camphor.- Never use Vicks VapoRub on children younger than 2 years old.
- Vicks VapoRub can also damage the cornea, so keep it away from the eyes.
Learn more about the effects of using Vicks VapoRub on your nose.
Soothing sore muscles
The NIH describes both camphor and menthol as topical analgesics, which are pain relievers rubbed on the skin.
Products containing camphor and menthol can create a powerful cooling sensation that may temporarily override your ability to feel the pain of sore muscles and joints.
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However, the authors note that more research is needed to support these products for pain relief.
Treating toenail fungus
The three active ingredients in Vicks VapoRub have antifungal properties.
A 2011 study suggested OTC mentholated ointments may effectively treat toenail fungus.
Similarly, a small 2015 study found Vicks VapoRub may be a cost-effective alternative to expensive antifungal medications, especially for people without insurance or who may be socioeconomically disadvantaged.
Learn more about 10 home remedies for toenail fungus.
While little or no research supports the following uses of Vicks VapoRub, some people have said they have tried it with favorable results.
Fading stretch marks
Stretch marks are purplish, red, or white lines that appear on the skin after a period of quick growth. They most often appear around puberty and pregnancy.
Learn more about how to get rid of stretch marks.
Training pets
Some people believe the strong scent of Vicks VapoRub can keep pets from urinating on or scratching up furniture in the home.
Dabbing a small amount of the product on the area you want to protect may keep your pet at bay, but make sure your pet can’t lick or chew the ointment off the surface.
Never put Vicks VapoRub directly on your pet’s skin.
Camphor is toxic to animals. It can cause a skin reaction, and in large enough amounts, it can cause seizures and even death.
Healing rough skin on your heels
The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) recommends petroleum jelly as a moisturizer, especially when used on damp skin because it keeps moisture from evaporating.
This may be why some people find Vicks VapoRub helpful for healing rough skin on their feet and heels.
However, more research is needed to support the anecdotal claims about its usefulness as a treatment for dry, calloused foot skin.
Repelling mosquitoes
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However, more research is needed to support the use of Vicks VapoRub in repelling mosquitoes.
DEET and picaridin are still the most powerful mosquito repellents.
Treating acne spots
Beauty bloggers have promoted using Vicks VapoRub as an overnight acne treatment.
Research suggests some ingredients in Vicks VapoRub may help heal blemishes, but other ingredients may actually worsen acne.
For example, dermatologists have recommended camphor essential oil as an acne treatment.
However, petroleum jelly, another ingredient in Vicks VapoRub, may cause breakouts. The AAD recommends against using products with petroleum jelly on acne-prone skin.
Learn more about 14 home remedies for acne.
Relieving headaches
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However, the amount of menthol in the tested products was much higher (6% and 10%) than that in Vicks VapoRub (2.6%).
So far, no studies support using Vicks VapoRub for treating headaches.
Health officials and the product’s manufacturer say you shouldn’t use Vicks VapoRub:
- on children under 2 years old
- on open wounds
- under tight bandages
Other safety warnings include the following:
- Store Vicks VapoRub safely out of reach of children.
- Don’t heat Vicks VapoRub before you use it, as it can cause burns.
- 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 calledexogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) . - If your cough or muscle soreness lasts longer than a week, talk with a doctor.
What is Vicks VapoRub useful for?
Vicks VapoRub may help relieve coughs and minor muscle and joint pain.
When should you not use Vicks VapoRub?
You shouldn’t use Vicks VapoRub if you have a persistent cough associated with asthma and smoking or a phlegmy cough. It’s also not recommended for children ages 2 years and younger.
Is it OK to use Vicks VapoRub with COVID-19?
Products containing menthol are not recommended for people with COVID-19. Menthol can trigger receptors in your brain that make you feel as though you’re breathing more clearly than you are and can lead you to underestimate the severity of your symptoms. This may result in delaying necessary medical treatment.
Why should you rub Vicks VapoRub on your feet at night?
Some people claim that putting Vicks VapoRub on your feet can help with cold symptoms. However, there isn’t any scientific evidence to support this theory. The manufacturer’s guidelines say to apply the product to your chest.
Vicks VapoRub has been a medication cabinet staple for more than 125 years. Although it’s not listed as a decongestant, solid research supports its use to relieve a stuffy nose or cough.
It may also help relieve muscle and joint pain, as well as stamp out toenail fungal infections.
That said, many anecdotal uses, such as trying to fade stretch marks, heal rough skin, and treat headaches, aren’t supported by evidence.
If you’re looking for remedies, speak with a healthcare professional. They could provide the best treatment for you.
