Read more about using Vicks for babies and children here. This oil has also been used as an insecticide against certain types of beetles. This may also temporarily soothe aches and pain from a feverish cold. However, even natural chemicals can be toxic if you get too much of them or use them incorrectly. Vicks VapoRub is a mentholated ointment made by U.S. household and personal care manufacturer Procter & Gamble. Decongestants There are many types of medications that can help relieve sinus pain. If a person sustains a burn, they should immediately do the following: Read Also: Can You Pass A Sinus Infection To Others, Steam clean your sinuses using a Vicks Vaporizer, Vicks Vaporub Steaming, Best Remedy For Sinus Infection (Watch The Video), What Vicks VapoRub Can Do For Your Sinuses, Airway, Chest & Lungs | Dr. Mandell, Sinex Severe All-in-One Sinus Liquicaps, What Antibiotic Is Prescribed For Sinus Infection, What Antibiotic To Use For Sinus Infection, Can You Take Tylenol Cold And Sinus While Pregnant, Can A Sinus Infection Make Your Teeth Hurt, Prednisone Prescribed For Sinus Infection, What To Take For Stuffy Nose And Sinus Pressure, How Do I Relieve Sinus Pressure In My Head, Best Natural Medicine For Sinus Infection. The sinuses contain defenses against foreign viruses and bacteria (germs). The woman who shared this remedy called it "wacky" and we certainly had to agree. Vicks VapoRub: An effective nasal decongestant? The diagnosis is based on symptoms, but sometimes a computed tomography scan or other imaging tests are needed. In serious cases, this can trigger seizures in babies and small children. But the strong menthol odor of VapoRub may trick your brain, so you feel like you're breathing through an unclogged nose. Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Depending on the severity of your illness, it may also be unsafe to use topical products containing menthol. The role of moisturizers in addressing various kinds of dermatitis: A review. However, the amount of menthol in the tested products was much higher (6 percent and 10 percent) than the amount of menthol in Vicks VapoRub (2.6 percent). If you notice any type of pain or a burning sensation, take the product off immediately and stick to Neosporin and a Band-Aid. Applying Vicks to the throat and chest can help with symptoms such as a blocked nose. The researchers tested the vapor rub on 138 children ages 2 to 11. A novel treatment for onychomycosis in people living with HIV infection: Vicks VapoRub is effective and safe. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Vicks VapoRub is an ointment that you can use on your skin. Vision problems. Vicks VapoRub is meant to be used for the treatment of coughs, congestion, and muscle aches. PlushCare can help you effectively, quickly, and easily treat your sinus infection. This sinus massage will bring comfort to your nasal passages. A comparison of topical menthol to ice on pain, evoked tetanic and voluntary force during delayed onset muscle soreness. Some sinus cavities may be about an inch across, while others are much smaller. (2016). These people are also likely to have nasal polyps . Appropriate use of essential oils and their components in the management of upper respiratory tract symptoms in patients with COVID-19. Generic name: Oxymetazoline (nasal) [ oks-i-met-AZ-oh-leen ] Brand names: 12 Hour Decongestant, 12 Hour Nasal Decongestant, 12 Hour Nasal Relief Spray, 12 Hour Nasal Spray, Afrin 12 Hour, . These activities could also put the people in your care at risk for. Drink plenty of fluids when you use this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Many products include eucalyptus oil due to its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. However, there isnt any scientific evidence to support this theory. Pappas DE. Sinus congestion can bring symptoms of pressure or pain around your forehead, or between your eyes. Recommended Reading: Can Flonase Help A Sinus Infection. At-home vaporizer or humidifier: It may help relieve sinus symptoms. They can help open up your nasal passages and decrease pressure in your sinuses. Understanding more about your sinuses can help you get some much-needed sinus and nasal congestion relief. "The product is very cooling, so it can certainly help with minor bruises to calm the skin," confirms Sobel. Other uses that people report work for them, American Academy of Dermatology Association, aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/petroleum-jelly, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6270224/, saspjournals.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/SJMCR-2157-58.pdf, parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1756-3305-5-189, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6996713/, bmcearnosethroatdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12901-016-0032-6, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC5849435/, sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0736467914007343, researchgate.net/publication/317175257_Efficacy_of_a_Topical_Aromatic_Rub_Vicks_VapoRub_R_on_Effects_on_Self-Reported_and_Actigraphically_Assessed_Aspects_of_Sleep_in_Common_Cold_Patients, researchgate.net/publication/284069170_A_Novel_Treatment_for_Onychomycosis_in_People_Living_With_HIV_Infection_Vicks_VapoRub_is_Effective_and_Safe, frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2015.00011/full, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4178917/, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jdv.13223, sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210803321000312, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=6b16b47e-9cbe-4e62-825b-f65416c900a1&type=display, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. These popular ointments have been around for hundreds of years and typically contain menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oils. our office. This means it may help soothe pain and reduce swelling. We love to slather our feet in the product before bed, apply socks, and sleep tight. Efficacy and tolerability of STOPAIN for a migraine attack. Natural Medicines. Plenty of natural home remedies can also help with the symptoms of cold and flu. Learn more about the ways you can treat a stuffy nose, or nasal congestion, at home, including tips on decongestants, humidifiers, and steam remedies. and sinus infection. ), we suggest taking this one with a grain of salt. Repeat, if needed, up to three times in 24 hours. Vicks VapoRub is so well-known for its fungus-fighting powers that it's recommended for toenail fungus removal by Dr. James Ioli, chief of the podiatry service at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital. Then youll need to hold your head above the water. It can cause a skin reaction, and in large enough amounts, it can cause seizures and even death. Despite how painful it may seem, nasal irrigation is a safe, well-tolerated method to reduce sinus inflammation. If you are taking the over-the-counter product, read and follow all directions on the package label. Drape a warm, dry cloth over your head while youre sitting upright or standing. Slice a red or white onion into a few thick slices about inch thick. Tea Tree Oil. Sinex Severe Ultra Fine Mist Nasal Spray helps relieve the sinus and nasal congestion that often accompanies colds, hay fever, or upper respiratory allergies. (2015). Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press. Some people use Vicks to relieve minor muscle pain and aches. It also acts as a decongestant and can help clear blocked nasal passages. Though uncommon, ELP has occurred in patients who have used mineral oil or petroleum-based lubricants and decongestants, like petroleum jelly (Vaseline), Vicks VapoRub, and lip gloss, frequently and over a long period of time. To make the solution youll need to mix a pint of boiled water that has been left to cool with a teaspoon of salt. Potential side effects from using Vicks VapoRub, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/nasal-decongestant/faq-20058569, From A to Zinc: How to Get Rid of a Cold Fast, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. Another theory is that they help decrease the weight of the skull and enhance our voices. from University of Michigan, has a theory about how the Vicks-on-feet remedy might work, based on recent research by Nobel prize-winning neuroscientist Rod MacKinnon, M.D., and his colleague Bruce Bean, Ph.D., of Harvard. 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. Try a nasal spray. Vicks VapoRub is also a popular choice for people trying to fade stretch marks, heal rough skin, treat headaches, and keep outdoor bugs away. Topical management of striae distensae (stretch marks): Prevention and therapy of striae rubrae and albae. The sinuses are hallow cavities located throughout the skull. There is another way to use Vicks to get relief from the awful pain. Chronic sinusitis lasts longer than 12 weeks. Read all information given to you. Research also shows the menthol in Vicks VapoRub may help to relieve nerve pain. Unlike acute sinusitis, which is usually caused by infection, chronic sinusitis often has more complicated symptoms, and the causes can be multifactorial or difficult to determine, says Dr. Vinh Nguyen, a family medicine physician at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. Sundstrup E, et al. When placed against the skin of the foot and kept in a sock,. Another inhaled odor that can help open up sinus passages is menthol, which is an ingredient in popular ointments that are used specifically to treat a stuffy nose. All rights reserved. Other than a thin layer of mucus, when they are healthy, the sinuses are empty. Here are some other remedies to try. But the, Experts say older adults' immune systems aren't as powerful against the flu virus as younger adults, so they need a stronger vaccine dose. We may be fans of Vicks, but insects decidedly are not. A word of caution, though: Vicks VapoRub isnt recommended if your cough has lots of phlegm or if its chronic, such as with asthma or emphysema. According to Jose, the camaphor also works to relieve joint pain. "Vicks VapoRub has three major oils in its ingredients. Symptoms unique to COVID-19 include body aches, nausea, shortness of breath and vomiting. But VapoRub isnt a decongestant. Johar P, Grover V, Topp R, Behm DG. The mechanism that allows easy passage of water is essentially a teapot. For current information about MIT Medicals services, please see relevant areas of the MIT Medical website. If Vicks is on the feet, it is probably too far away to breathe in. So whether you use one, all, or your own unique combination of these methods, one thing is for sure. It is a fast-acting nasal spray decongestant that shrinks swollen nasal membranes so you can breathe more freely. But is it safe? Recommended Reading: How Long Until Sinus Infection Goes Away. Swallowing even a few teaspoons of camphor can be toxic to adults and fatal for a toddler. And if VapoRub gets in your eye, it can injure your cornea. Sinusitis. It is a topical analgesic that contains some ingredients such as camphor, menthol, eucalyptus and several other ingredients that have been combined in a petroleum base. Uncommonly, an infection can spread to the bones (osteomyelitis) or skin (cellulitis). For example, dermatologists have recommended camphor essential oil as an acne treatment. When applied to the chest and throat, it may help ease cold symptoms like nose and sinus congestion. You know how uncomfortable sinus and nasal congestion can be, but have you ever wondered exactly what your sinuses are? It is possible to apply Vicks to other areas of the body, such as the feet, but it is unclear whether this helps with cold symptoms. This can lead you to avoid seeking medical care for breathing trouble when you need it. Your healthcare provider can also advise you on other methods to soothe congestion and body aches. Our online doctors can diagnose your sinus infection, write a prescription, and send it to your local pharmacy in 15 minutes. Likewise, a weak immune system makes you more susceptible to catch bacterial, viral, or fungal sinus infection. You can even use food-grade eucalyptus oil and place a drop on the roof of your mouth. https://vicks.com/en-us/shop-products/vaporub/vaporub-topical-ointment. Sinex Severe Ultra Fine Mist Nasal Spray helps relieve the sinus and nasal congestion that often accompanies colds, hay fever, or upper respiratory allergies. Just rub it under your nose or apply on your hands and rub then smell it with deep breathing. The manufacturer also claims that Vicks VapoRub helps to ease minor muscle aches and joint pain. It would be more appropriate to say that if youre already prone to allergies and nasal polyps, it becomes easier for harmful bugs, especially fungi to penetrate your sinuses.