In adults and children age 2 and older, use it only on the neck and chest.
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.
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.
1-2 teaspoons of Vicks VapoRub to a bowl of hot. water. Slowly inhale the vapours and feel the relief with. every breath.
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.
The best position to sleep with a stuffy nose is typically on your back with your head slightly elevated13. A blocked nose at night often feels worse as your body position causes more blood to flow to your nose, increasing the swelling14.
According to Dr. Leann Poston of Invigor Medical, “Elevating your head before bed can increase drainage and decrease congestion.” That's why the best position to sleep with a stuffy nose is on your back with different types of pillows elevating your head and neck.
When you're congested, putting VapoRub on your chest (its intended use) can help you feel like your breathing has improved. It does this by releasing menthol vapors that feel cooling once they hit your nasal passages. This tricks your brain into thinking you are breathing more easily.
Although Vicks products can't cure a runny nose, they can help you feel better until it clears up on its own. Cold and flu symptom relief medicines, like NyQuil™ SEVERE, relieve your runny nose and cough symptoms temporarily so you can get the rest you need to recover.
Q: How often can I use Vicks VapoRub? A: For cough suppression, Vicks VapoRub may be used up to 3 times daily or as directed by your doctor. Simply rub a thick layer on your chest and throat. For muscle/joint minor aches and pains, Vicks VapoRub may be applied to the affected area not more than 3 to 4 times daily.
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.
This helps wash the viruses from the nose and sinuses. After 2 or 3 days, mucus may change to a white, yellow, or green color. This is normal and does not mean you need an antibiotic. Some symptoms, especially runny or stuffy nose and cough, can last for up to 10 to 14 days.
One of the main reasons why nasal congestion gets worse at night is because of gravity. When lying down, the blood vessels in your nasal passages dilate which leads to increased blood flow to the area. This causes the tissues to swell and become congested.
In many people, the nasal septum is off-center — or deviated — making one nasal passage smaller. When a deviated septum is severe, it can block one side of the nose and reduce airflow, causing difficulty breathing.
Anything that irritates the inside of the nose can cause a stuffy nose. Infections — such as colds, flu or sinusitis — and allergies often cause stuffy and runny noses. Irritants in the air, such as tobacco smoke, perfume, dust and car exhaust, also can cause these symptoms.
Vicks products cannot cure the cold or flu, but they can help relieve chest congestion symptoms so you can feel better while your body heals from the cold or flu virus. When you have chest congestion symptoms, the mucus build-up in your lungs can become very thick and dense.
However, if too much camphor is swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, it can poison young children, causing vomiting, seizures, respiratory distress, coma, or death. In addition, vaporub should ONLY be used as directed: Applied only to the chest, back, or throat; not to the nostrils or on open wounds.
The Vicks VapoInhaler is not required to have an expiration date but does have a 36 month shelf life.