Vicks VapoRub An effective nasal decongestant - Mayo Clinic
COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options
Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Appointments at Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Request Appointment Vicks VapoRub An effective nasal decongestant
Products and services When I had a cold as a child my mother put a little Vicks VapoRub under my nose to help me breathe more easily Does this really work
Answer From Jay L. Hoecker, M.D. Vicks VapoRub - a topical ointment made of ingredients including camphor, eucalyptus oil and menthol that you rub on your throat and chest - doesn't relieve nasal congestion. But the strong menthol odor of VapoRub may trick your brain, so you feel like you're breathing through an unclogged nose. By contrast, decongestant tablets and nasal sprays sold over-the-counter may narrow blood vessels in your nose's lining, leading to reduced swelling in your nasal passages. VapoRub has drawbacks in addition to its ineffectiveness as a nasal decongestant. It's unsafe for any use in children under 2 years old. In adults and children age 2 and older, use it only on the neck and chest. Swallowing a few teaspoons of camphor - one of the main ingredients in VapoRub and other topical medications, such as Campho-Phenique and Bengay - can cause deadly poisoning in toddlers. Topical camphor absorbed through mucous membranes or broken skin also can be toxic. That's why you should never put VapoRub in or around the nostrils - especially a small child's nostrils. And if VapoRub gets in your eye, it can injure your cornea. With Jay L. Hoecker, M.D. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing
You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription
Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Neti pot: Can it clear your nose?Warm-mist versus cool-mist humidifier: Which is better for a cold? ShareTweet Dec. 07, 2021 Show references Pappas DE. The common cold in children: Management and prevention. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 6, 2019. Camphor. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed June 7, 2019. Micromedex. Camphor. IBM Micromedex. https://www.micromedexsolutions.com. Accessed June 7, 2019. Vicks VapoRub Topical Ointment. Vicks. https://vicks.com/en-us/shop-products/vaporub/vaporub-topical-ointment. Accessed June 7, 2019. See more Expert Answers Products and Services
Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Raising a Healthy ChildBook: Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies See also
Antibiotics: Are you misusing them?Avoid rebound nasal congestionBreastfeeding and medicationsCan chicken soup cure a cold?Chicken soup: Can it treat a cold?Cold and flu viruses: How long can they live outside the body?Cold or allergy: Which is it?Cold remediesCold symptoms: Does drinking milk increase phlegm?Common coldCOVID-19: How can I protect myself?CoughVitamin C and moodDoes zinc work for colds?Exercise and illnessFatigueHand-washing tipsHave a cold? Common sense rulesHave a cold? Fight back with humidityHave a cold? Fight it with fluidsHeadacheHoney: An effective cough remedy?How well do you wash your hands?Humidifier care 101HumidifiersIs antibacterial soap a do or a don't?Nasal CleaningNasal congestionNeti pot: Can it clear your nose?Plugged ears: What is the remedy?Runny noseStuffy nose? Try saline spraySymptom CheckerVitamin C: Can it prevent colds?Warm-mist versus cool-mist humidifier: Which is better for a cold?Watery eyesWhat is MERS-CoV?When to Take Your Child to the E.D.Do zinc supplements shorten colds?Show more related content Advertisement
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book Other Topics in Patient Care & Health Info
Diseases & Conditions A-Z Symptoms A-Z Tests & Procedures A-Z Drugs & Supplements A-Z Health Books Healthy Living Program Mayo Clinic Health Letter Mayo Clinic Voice Apps . FAQ-20058569 Home Vicks VapoRub An effective nasal decongestant Mayo Clinic Footer
Legal Conditions and Terms
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Notice of Nondiscrimination Manage Cookies Advertising
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.Advertising and sponsorship policyAdvertising and sponsorship opportunities Reprint Permissions
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.