Moms everywhere turn to Vicks VapoRub when their little ones fall ill, but most don’t know that misusing the popular remedy can actually make your child’s symptoms worse—even to the point of sending them to the hospital.
When an 18-month-old girl was sent to the emergency room after having trouble breathing, Dr. Bruce Rubin and his team found out that her grandparents had rubbed Vicks VapoRub under her nose.
“Sure enough, we demonstrated that the Vicks produced increased mucous in the patient’s airway, which was already inflamed and narrowed because of her respiratory infection,” Rubin explained to ABC News.
The researchers tested the product on ferrets to see if the salve was, indeed, causing the patient’s symptoms. They found that Vicks does increase mucous production, causing inflammation.
Photo: Tatsuo Yamashita/Flickr
The importance of reading (and following) labels
Does this mean that you should throw out your supply of Vicks? Not really. At the very least, it means that we should probably pay more attention to warning labels and follow the instructions.
Each tub of Vicks VapoRub already comes with a warning that it shouldn’t be used on children younger than 2, and that it shouldn’t be rubbed under the patient’s nose. Unfortunately, some parents don’t heed those warnings, and assume that the remedy is perfectly harmless, even for babies.
“I don’t think that parents ignore this warning, but I think they feel relief when they use [Vicks VapoRub] themselves, and it’s an over-the-counter drug … and, therefore, not thought of as anything that can cause problems,” Rubin explained. “But sick children may respond differently than you’d anticipate.”
Vicks not an actual remedy
Even though serious side-effects that come with using Vicks are rare, parents shouldn’t risk using them on young children. In the first place, it doesn’t actually help with the symptoms. Its active ingredients of menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oil only trick the brain into thinking that the airways are open, even though they’re still congested.
The salve is good for short-term relief, but offers no real cure. In other words, though it might make you feel better, it won’t actually make you better.
“I would recommend never putting the Vicks in, or under, the nose of anybody—adult or child,” Rubin told NBC. “I also would follow the directions and never use it at all in children under age 2.”
On the next page: safe ways to relieve your baby’s cough and colds.
If Vicks VapoRub is a no-go, what other things can parents do to help their young children feel better when they’re congested? Here are some suggestions from WebMD and BabyCenter.
1. Saline drops
When your child’s having trouble breathing, sleeping, and eating because of her stuffy nose, you can use saline nasal drops to thin the mucus and
2. More fluids
You should give your child more drinks if she’s feeling congested, as the extra fluids will help thin out her mucus. Babies under 4 months should be given more breast milk or formula. 4-month-old babies can have a little water, while those 6 months and older can be given juices.
3. Honey
Giving your child half a teaspoonful of honey before bedtime can soothe their sore throats and ease their coughs. Note: never give honey to a child less than a year old, as it can give them botulism.
4. Use a pillow
Raising your baby’s head on a pillow can help your child breathe better. You can also do this with babies by placing a pillow or a folded towel under your baby’s mattress to create a slight angle and raise her head safely.
5. Try a humidifier
Using a humidifier in your child’s room will make it easier for them to breathe. Opt for cool-mist models, which are safer than those that use steam.
6. Use petroleum jelly
Apply a small amount outside your baby’s nostrils to reduce irritation.
READ: Is putting Vick’s VapoRub safe and effective for kids? Here’s what experts say
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