Vicks is a popular product for treating the symptoms of a cold, such as a blocked nose. Putting Vicks on the feet is unlikely to help with cold symptoms, though it may possibly have a cooling effect on this part of the body. There is little research into how well Vicks actually treats cold symptoms.
Why does putting Vicks on your feet stop coughing?
Precautions when using Vicks VapoRub
- Won’t cure cold symptoms if used on feet. Using Vicks VapoRub on your feet may soothe tired, achy feet, but it won’t help with cold symptoms like a stuffy nose ...
- Don’t use on under your nose or in your nostrils. ...
- Keep out of reach of children. ...
- Avoid getting into eyes. ...
- See a doctor if ingested or if you have an allergic reaction. ...
Can putting Vicks VapoRub on your feet help your cough?
Surprising Uses for Vicks
- It kills the nasty fungus on your nails.
- Applying a small amount of it on doors, walls, windows as well as your body can prevent cats from scratching them.
- The smell of Vicks discourages unpotty trained dogs and cats from peeing.
- Its mentholated scent relieves headaches.
- Applying Vicks on a tick bite can relieve the itching.
Does putting Vicks on your feet do anything?
Vicks is a popular product for treating the symptoms of a cold, such as a blocked nose. Putting Vicks on the feet is unlikely to help with cold symptoms, though it may possibly have a cooling effect on this part of the body. There is little research into how well Vicks actually treats cold symptoms.
What does Vicks Vapor Rub do on your feet?
Uses that have some scientific support
- Relieving congestion. Vicks VapoRub isn’t a decongestant. ...
- Easing cough. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) lists camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol as cough suppressants.
- Soothing sore muscles. The NIH describes both camphor and menthol as topical analgesics, or pain relievers you rub on your skin.
- Treating toenail fungus. ...
What does putting Vicks on your feet with socks do?
So, Vicks on your feet could really work, or it may be psychological. "By concentrating on something else, i.e. the process of putting Vicks on with the socks, you are reducing your stress levels," psychologist Lynne Jordan told the Daily Mail.
Where do I put Vicks to unblock my nose?
For example, place your index fingers on both sides of your nose where the nose and cheek meet (with one finger on each side), and apply moderate pressure for 2 to 3 minutes. You can also use your index fingers to apply pressure on the bridge of your nose, right between your eyebrows; hold for 2 to 3 minutes.
Is it okay to put VapoRub under your nose?
Is it safe to use Vicks VapoRub in your nose? The short answer is no. 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.
Does Vicks VapoRub on soles of feet relieve coughing?
The [brain's] cough center is right next to the spinal cord. If the sensory nerves in the soles of the feet stimulate the spinal cord, they might be able to interrupt the cough cycle.
How do you unblock your nose in 3 minutes?
1:426:59How To Unblock Nose in three minutes ButeykoDVD.com - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSmall breath - hold your nose and nod your head up and down for as long as you can up and down upMoreSmall breath - hold your nose and nod your head up and down for as long as you can up and down up and down. And don't let any air sneak in the nose of your mouth.
How can I unblock my nose naturally fast?
Home remedies for stuffy nose1: Steam inhalation. Steam inhalation is one of the simple solutions for a stuffy nose. ... 2: Warm compress. A warm compress can help unclog a stuffy nose by reducing inflammation and opening the nasal cavity. ... 3: Ginger. ... 4: Honey. ... 5: Garlic. ... 6: Grapefruit extract. ... 7: Onion. ... 8: Spices.More items...
How do you unclog your nose at night?
What to do right before bedTake an antihistamine. ... Diffuse an essential oil in your bedroom. ... Use a humidifier in your bedroom. ... Keep your bedroom cool and dark. ... Apply a nasal strip. ... Apply an essential oil chest rub. ... Apply a menthol chest rub. ... Prop up your head so you remain elevated.
How can I unblock my nose?
How can I get rid of a blocked nose?Be gentle when you blow your nose. ... Aim to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day. ... Hold a warm flannel to your cheeks. ... Dial-up the humidity. ... Try a nasal rinse with warm salty water. ... Use menthol ointment or oil. ... Ask a pharmacist about treatment options.More items...•
Does Vicks on the bottom of feet work?
Does putting Vicks on your feet work? Vicks VapoRub is a popular product for helping with the symptoms of a cold. Applying Vicks to the throat and chest can help with symptoms such as a blocked nose. Applying Vicks to the feet, however, is unlikely to have any effect.
Can you put Vicks on bottom of baby's feet?
If your baby is under the age of 2, you should never apply Vicks to their chest, nose, feet, or elsewhere. You could try special nonmedicated rub for babies 3 months and older. The blend is dubbed as a “soothing ointment” that contains fragrances of eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender.
Where do you rub Vicks for a cough?
A: For cough suppression, rub a thick layer of Vicks VapoRub on your chest and throat. Cover with a warm, dry cloth, if desired. Keep clothing loose about your throat and chest to help the vapors to reach the nose and mouth.
What is Vicks oil?
Vicks contains three active ingredients that are responsible for its effects: camphor 4.7%. eucalyptus oil 1.2%. menthol 2.6%. Camphor comes from the wood of Cinnamomum camphora trees, and it is an ingredient in many oils and ointments. One of its main properties is to relieve congestion and coughing.
What are the ingredients in Vicks?
Several inactive ingredients make up the rest of Vicks. These include: cedarleaf oil. lemon fragrance. nutmeg oil. special petrolatum. thymol.
How to get rid of colds?
taking honey-based drinks. using a humidifier or cool mist vaporizer. Several over-the-counter (OTC) medications are also available for reducing cold symptoms. For example, decongestants can relieve stuffy and blocked noses. They can come in the form of a tablet, a nasal spray, nasal droplets, or a syrup.
Can you use Vicks to treat a cold?
For babies. Alternatives. Summary. Vicks VapoR ub is a popular product for helping with the symptoms of a cold. Applying Vicks to the throat and chest can help with symptoms such as a blocked nose. Applying Vicks to the feet, however, is unlikely to have any effect. It is possible to apply Vicks to other areas of the body, such as the feet, ...
Can you use Vicks rub on babies?
Vicks for babies. Vicks recommend not using their rub products on children under 2 years of age. Some of the ingredients in Vicks could be harmful. For example, menthol can cause skin irritation. It is best to keep this product out of reach of any younger children. If a child swallows Vicks, it can have toxic effects.
Does Vicks work on feet?
Does it work? Share on Pinterest. There is no clear evidence that applying Vicks to the feet will help with symptoms of a cold. It is unlikely that applying Vicks to the feet would have any effect on cold symptoms . However, there has been no direct research into this.
Does Vicks lower body temperature?
Vicks can also create a cooling sensation, which may help with hot flushes from a cold. However, Vicks does not actually lower body temperature.
Can coughing keep you awake?
Having a cough that keeps you awake at night is terrible, especially when you are already feeling lousy. But what can you do to calm that cough? One reader in Australia tried an American home remedy, though he was quite doubtful that it would help. A US pharmacist says Vicks eased his nasal congestion!
Does Vicks Vaporub help with cough?
We have heard from many other readers, including some even more skeptical than you, that applying Vicks VapoRub to the soles of the feet and then putting on warm socks to protect the sheets helps ease a nighttime cough. Thanks for sharing your personal experiment.
What does nasal congestion mean?
Explained: To some people it means a combination of symptoms in the nose including runny nose but to physicians nasal congestion refers to obstruction of air flo ... Read More
Why does my nose swell?
Cure ?????: Since the nasal passages are lined with sensitive tissue, it can and will swell in response to respiratory irritants and a variety of infectious agent ... Read More
What is Vicks aporub?
Even if someday VapoRub on the feet is studied and shown to alleviate a cough, it's important to be aware of the following: 1 It contains a poisonous ingredient: Vicks VapoRub is made of camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol. Camphor is poisonous when ingested. 2 It can cause seizures, coma, or death even when a small amount is swallowed or when too much is inhaled or absorbed through the skin. 2 It's not for small children: The Vicks VapoRub packaging clearly states that the product shouldn't be used on children under 2 years of age, but many people ignore the warning. (This goes for anywhere on the body.) 3 It shouldn't be put under the nose: In adults and children older than 2, the product should only be used on the chest.
How does Vicks Vaporub work?
It works by creating menthol vapors that feel cooling to your nasal passages when you inhale them, which tricks your brain into thinking you're breathing more easily . It does not actually relieve congestion or a cough—your brain just thinks ...
Does Vicks Vaporub help with cough?
No scientific studies have been performed on whether Vicks VapoRub on your feet eases a cough. As such, it's not certain whether it does or doesn't, despite what some proponents of this home remedy may say.
Is Vicks vaporub safe for kids?
While the product has been available and popular for many years, you should know that Vicks is not completely safe for kids.
Does Vicks cough medicine calm the nervous system?
If that's true, they say it's possible that the Vicks product might have a similar impact on the nervous system that's completely separate from its aromatherapy properties. Therefore, it might be able to calm a cough, even though it is applied so far away from the nose. It's important to remember, though, that a popular idea ...
Does Vicks Vaporub cause breathing problems?
It's proven, through studies and real-world incidents, that putting Vicks VapoRub directly under the nose can lead to respiratory distress or difficulty breathing. 2 . Vicks VapoRub for Muscle Aches.
Does putting Vicks on your feet stop coughing?
No scientific studies have been performed on whether Vicks VapoRub on your feet eases a cough. As such, it’s not certain whether it does or doesn’t, despite what some proponents of this home remedy may say.
Is Vick good for your feet?
Vicks VapoRub will likely not work to help ease cold symptoms when used on the feet. Adults can safely use this vapor rub on the feet to ease muscle aches or pain.
Can Vicks hurt your lungs?
Vicks has been reported to cause inflammation in the eyes, mental status changes, lung inflammation, liver damage, constriction of airways and allergic reactions.
Where do you rub Vicks for a cough?
Vicks VapoRub is an ointment that you can use on your skin. The manufacturer recommends rubbing it on your chest or throat to relieve congestion from colds.
Does Vicks grow hair?
The Vicks VapoRub ingredients that stimulate hair growth are camphor, lavender, eucalyptus and menthol. Eucalyptus also improves hair elasticity and keeps it strong. Menthol – Gets rid of irritants thus giving room for hair to grow easily.
Why do the bottoms of my feet hurt so bad?
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the fibrous tissue (plantar fascia) along the bottom of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes. Plantar fasciitis can cause intense heel pain. Plantar fasciitis (PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis) is one of the most common causes of heel pain.
Is it OK to put Vicks in your nose?
It’s not safe to use Vicks VapoRub inside your nose as it can be absorbed into your body through the mucus membranes lining your nostrils. VVR contains camphor, which can have toxic effects if absorbed into your body. It can be especially dangerous for children if it’s used inside their nasal passages.
The Cough Center
The part of the brain that controls coughing is down at the bottom of the brainstem in an area called the medulla oblongata. It is that part of the brain that manages automatic functions such as breathing, heart rate, vomiting, swallowing and sneezing. The medulla borders on the spinal column.
Feet to Brain
We initially wondered whether there could be absorption of the active and or inactive ingredients in Vicks VapoRub through the skin.
Not by Menthol Alone
Menthol is not the only ingredient in Vicks VapoRub that may be working through transient receptor potential channels. We mentioned eucalyptol, which also triggers TRPM8 ( British Journal of Pharmacology, May 2017 ).
Learn More About Vicks
Share your own Vicks VapoRub story below in the comment section. You may also want to read our eGuide to Colds, Coughs & the Flu. It contains information on many other approaches for easing symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections.