Rub VICKS VapoRub on Your FEET and Feel What Happens | Dr. Mandell

By rjoachim | January 27, 2024

For cold symptoms:

  • Ineffective: There’s no scientific evidence to support the claim that Vicks on feet helps relieve cold symptoms like congestion or cough. The active ingredients, menthol and camphor, need to be inhaled to have any effect, and putting them on your feet keeps them too far away from your nose.

For foot-related concerns:

  • Cooling sensation: Menthol and camphor create a cooling feeling, which can be soothing for tired, achy feet, especially during hot weather. This might provide temporary relief from discomfort, but it doesn’t address the underlying cause.
  • Moisturizing dry skin: Vicks contains petroleum jelly, which can help hydrate dry, cracked heels. However, there are more effective and less messy moisturizers available specifically for feet.
  • Potential antifungal effect: Some studies suggest that Vicks might have some antifungal properties, making it a possible remedy for mild toenail fungus. However, more research is needed to confirm this benefit.

Important precautions:

  • Toxicity: Camphor can be toxic, especially for children and pets. Avoid using Vicks on feet if you have concerns about accidental ingestion or exposure.
  • Skin irritation: Menthol and camphor can irritate sensitive skin. Do a patch test on a small area before applying Vicks to your entire foot.
  • Not for open wounds or broken skin: Avoid applying Vicks to any cuts, scrapes, or other open wounds.

Alternatives to consider:

  • For cold symptoms, try inhaling steam, using a humidifier, or taking over-the-counter medications like decongestants or cough suppressants.
  • For dry feet, use a dedicated foot cream or moisturizer.
  • For toenail fungus, consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Overall, while rubbing Vicks on your feet might offer some temporary relief for specific foot concerns, it’s not a proven cure-all for cold symptoms or other ailments. There are safer and more effective options available for most conditions.

Here are some additional resources you might find helpful:

I hope this information helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Posted in Natural & Holistic and tagged , , , , ,