Vicks VapoRub Topical Ointment Children's Cough Medicine - Vicks (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between Vicks and children's Vicks? ›

Vicks offers a safer alternative called Vicks BabyRub for babies and children under 2 years but older than 3 months. This product contains fragrances and aloe in a petroleum jelly base but does not contain camphor oil. Vicks BabyRub is available in some grocery stores, pharmacies, and online.

Vicks Children's VapoRub can be used on children ages 2 and up. Children's VapoRub has three active cough suppressants that are clinically proven to relieve coughs: menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oil.

Studies have shown that Vicks VapoRub helps relieve cough, congestion, sore muscles, and toenail fungus. It hasn't been proven safe or effective for other purposes, such as to treat headaches or as a bug repellant.

It affects a certain part of the brain (cough center) to help you stop coughing. This product also contains an antihistamine (such as triprolidine, chlorpheniramine, doxylamine) that works by blocking the effects of a certain natural substance (histamine), which causes allergy symptoms. It also has a drying effect.

Swallowing a few teaspoons of camphor can cause deadly poisoning in toddlers. When placed on the skin, camphor can be absorbed through mucous membranes or broken skin. This also can be toxic. That's why you should never put VapoRub in or around the nostrils — especially a small child's nostrils.

There's no evidence that putting Vicks VapoRub on your feet will relieve a cold, congestion, or cough. But it might help moisturize your heels and relieve toenail fungus.

If a person wants to give a child cough medicine, they can choose one with dextromethorphan (DM), which is present in most nonprescription cough syrups. Studies show that DM and honey are equally effective in reducing the cough frequency in children. Always follow the instructions on the package.

If your child is one year old or older, give them warm apple juice, milk or decaffeinated tea with honey in it. The warm liquid can soothe their throat and loosen the mucus. Help clear their chests with a cool mist humidifier or steamy shower.

Some studies suggest that Vicks VapoRub can help ease nerve-related foot pain, treat cracked heels, and help clear toenail fungus. Even so, the camphor in Vicks VapoRub is very toxic. Vicks VapoRub should never be used on children under 2 and should never be applied to broken skin, under the nose, or in the nostrils.

Where not to put Vicks? ›

While this product is relatively safe to use when applied to the skin as directed on the package label, it should not be consumed or applied to the insides of the eyes, ears, or nose. To reduce the risk of burns and serious tissue damage, Vicks VapoRub should never be heated in a microwave.

Anecdotally, many report that adding drops of Vick's VapoSteam to the boiling water may help with decongestion and other symptoms. For less fuss, you can try inhaling directly from a large mug and dispensing with a towel.

Apply VapoRub topically to the chest or neck for cough relief that starts working instantly. VapoRub Children's can be used on all children ages 2 and older to provide safe and effective cough relief so they can sleep. Remember to use as directed and always keep out of your child's reach.

The study reports that VapoRub's combination of camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus oils may relieve symptoms and improve sleep in children with upper respiratory infections. Unfortunately, this only applies to kids over age 2. Vicks is not safe for infants.

Vicks VapoRub is generally safe, but parents should be vigilant when using it for several reasons: It's not meant for children under 2 years old. Camphor is dangerous when ingested. It can causes seizures4 and other side effects, so always keep it away from your child's face, including directly under the nostrils.

They said using the Procter & Gamble Co product in this way can cause a young child's tiny airways to swell and fill with mucus, triggering severe breathing problems. "The only problem we've seen is in a small child when it has been put under the nose," Dr.

VapoRub lists camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus oil as active ingredients and also lists inactive ingredients of turpentine oil, nutmeg oil, and cedar leaf oil. BabyRub lists fragrances of eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender but no active ingredients.