Several over-the-counter (OTC) medications are also available for reducing cold symptoms. It is a good idea to try treatments that are known to be effective before trying home remedies that are less evidence-based. It. Before scientists identified germs as being responsible for illness, people believed that raw onions could purify the air in the room. If this relieves my coughing long term, it would be a miracle! Swallowing a few teaspoons of camphor one of the main ingredients in VapoRub and other topical medications, such as Campho . Search or Ask your queries, we will try to resolve it. To use this remedy, simply apply a generous amount of Vicks VapoRub to your feet before bedtime. Fact or Fiction: Putting Vicks on Your Feet Can Cure Your Cough and Colds, Youll Never Skip Breakfast Again After Reading, Symptoms Women Should Not Ignore: Itchy and, 10 Surprising Reasons Why Youre Always Hungry, Despite Storm, FedEx Flies Family So Baby. However, social media sites and internet message boards are brimming with claims that applying Vicks VapoRub to the soles of the feet and covering thebalmed-up tootsies with socks before going to bed is a much more effective way to fight a cough. Applying Vicks on a tick bite can relieve the itching. This type of cough, known as a wet, . Vicks was invented in the 1890s by North Carolina pharmacist Lunsford Richardson, who later named it Vicks Magic Croup Salve after his brother-in-law, Dr. Joshua Vick. A word of caution, though: Vicks VapoRub isn't recommended if your. While the effects can be unpleasant, people tend to recover within around 1 week. special petrolatum. 2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK. We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options. A. But it seems there's more than one way to skin a cat. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Cover with a warm, dry cloth, if desired. I cough every day when I get up, begin eating or drinking, during or after a meal, when my throat tickles and even when I just think about trying not to cough. To stop night time coughing, you put Vicks VapoRub generously on the bottom of both feet at bedtime, then cover with socks. Vicks ointment has been used to treat cough and colds for many years. As you note, many others have tried this remedy for night-time cough, donning thick socks to protect the bedsheets. Western medicine has very little understanding of how sensory nerves impact physiology. But in addition to this marketed use, Vicks has a handful of other, lesser-known uses . The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. When applied to the chest, inhaling the vapors of this product may provide temporary relief of cough caused by irritation of the throat or lungs.. And if VapoRub gets in your eye, it can injure your cornea. Vicks VapoRub will likely not work to help ease cold symptoms when used on the feet. ', The comments below have not been moderated, By what is the slot in a medicine cabinet for, how did the steel plow improve agriculture. One theory is that the menthol in Vicks helps to break up congestion and make it easier to breathe. VapoRub has drawbacks in addition to its ineffectiveness as a nasal decongestant. On the other hand, there is very little downside. Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The Peoples Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The Peoples Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The Peoples Pharmacy website. I was desperate, so I slathered on the Vicks, put on socks, and within 5-10 minutes the coughing STOPPED. If you believe that Vicks will help you get over your cold, then its likely that you will feel better after using it, even if its just in your head. Adults can safely use this vapor rub on the feet to ease muscle aches or pain.16-Oct-2019, There is no evidence that using Vicks VapoRub on your feet will help ease a cough. Some people may have a burning sensation when using Vicks VapoRub. For example, decongestants can relieve stuffy and blocked noses. Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine, http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2012/08/01/peds.2011-3075, http://www.maturitas.org/article/S0378-5122(10)00389-0/pdf, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1002/ptr.1222/abstract, https://www.onions-usa.org/faqs/onion-flu-cut-myths, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4366009/, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0749379705002588. Menthol, which is one of the ingredients in Vicks, is found in most cough lozenges. Plus, keeping your feet warm also helps to reduce aches and pains that can come along with a cold or flu. Have you ever massaged Vicks VapoRub on your soles at night to get some sleep without coughing? Q. I was in the hospital for three weeks following major surgery for colon cancer. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It is also excellent for softening your toe nails and diminishing common toe nail problems.Aug 20, 2015" Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Treatments . Because Vicks VapoRub is applied to the skin, the most likely side effects are:Skin irritations.Rash.Redness.Hives.07-Feb-2022. To stop night time coughing, you put Vicks VapoRub generously on the bottom of both feet at bedtime, then cover with socks. Today, the role of germs in disease is no longer a theory and is backed up by scientific evidence. When people are stressed, they breathe in more shallowy that irritates the cough further. They are a low-calorie, high-fiber, high-nutrient food and contain vitamin C. Eating onions may: Those considering using the onion in sock home remedy to cure a cold or flu may find one of the following home remedies to be more beneficial: The onion in sock home remedy has origins in western folklore and is hundreds of years old. So why does this work? My ribs feel like Ive been in the ring with Mike Tyson. This is a skin rash, redness, or irritation triggered by a chemical. After abdominal surgery, coughing or laughing can cause excruciating pain. But perhaps the practice most in line with the Vicks on feet method is aromatherapy foot massage. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 'Within a few minutes of putting on my feet, putting socks on and lying in bed, I can feel the vapours reach my throat! In adults and children age 2 and older, use it only on the neck and chest. One option is to try using Vicks VapoRub. Vicks recommend not using their rub products on children under 2 years of age. Doctors wanted me to take gabapentin, but for me it was a terrible drug. Combat stuffiness. But does it really work? In particular, they cannot substitute for the examination, advice, or treatment by a licensed physician or pharmacist. Manage GERD. Consider over-the-counter medicine. Vicks VapoRub cannot stop coughing permanently. It is possible to apply Vicks to other areas of the body, such as the feet, Vicks for babies. Theres no scientific evidence to support the use of Vicks for treating colds. Fast facts about onion in the sock for cold and flu: Cohen, H. A., Rozen, J., Kristal, H., Laks, Y., Berkovitch, M., Uziel, Y., Efrat, H. (2012, September). Heat up a warm tea with chamomile for your little one to help soothe and calm them when cough symptoms have them feeling under the weather. Gargle with warm salt water before bed. Vicks VapoRub will likely not work to help ease cold symptoms when used on the feet. An increasing number of Vicks fans are claiming the ointment works better for them when they put it on their feet. Applying Vicks on a tick bite can relieve the itching. This simple remedy has been used for generations to help relieve coughing and congestion. 15, 2016. There is more support for some of these off-label uses. Be sure not to put it on broken skin, and dont apply heat (such as from a heating pad) over the area where youve applied Vicks. Use air filters and allergy-proof your bedroom. This massage technique involves rubbing aromatic essential oils all over the soles of the feet, which is believed to help treat a number of illnesses and diseases. 22, No. . Within a few minutes of putting on my feet, putting socks on and lying in bed, I can feel the vapours reach my throat! Plus, it feels great when you put it on your feet and then put socks over top. According to Divinecaroline.com, Vicks VapoRub, a common remedy for cough and colds, can do more than just relieve chest congestion. The idea behind this home remedy is that Vicks can help to open up your airways and make it easier to breathe. ', Another woman called Clare added: 'Agreed I saw this tip on Facebook and tried it when baby had a bad cough. However, it is important to note that Vicks does not treat a cold or can stop coughing permanently.. Fact Check: Can coffee be used to manage pain? Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. A humidifier machine may help if the coughing is caused by dry air. So, whats the deal? Vicks VapoRub has been around since 1919, when a Spanish flu epidemic solidified its place in American medicine cabinets, but only in relatively recent history have consumers begun using it on their feet instead of its intended application on the chest and neck. We have even come up with an explanation for why Vicks and many other remedies work for common ailments. They witnessed first-hand how well it worked to calm a cough. Otolaryngologists may recommend speech therapy. Parents should not misuse Vicks VapoRub, the salve used to relieve symptoms of cough and congestion, by applying it to children under the age of two, say doctors who became interested in the . Nothing. Easing cough The National Institutes of Health (NIH) lists camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol as cough suppressants. Learn which Vicks cough, cold & flu medicine helps to treat these symptoms. READ MORE: Can Placing Onions In Your Socks Really Cure Illnesses, Or Is All Just A Myth? Investigating the power of music for dementia. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that Vicks can help to clear your congestion. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. A newer method of using the well known vapor rub is to apply it on the feet of the person with the cold. Tammy Hughes For The Daily Mail It came to prominence during the flu epidemic of 1918. Can diet and exercise reverse prediabetes? A viral infection is responsible for the common cold. Holistic practitioners have known for centuries that many ailments can be healed through the soles of the feet. There's no evidence that putting Vicks VapoRub on your feet will relieve a cold, congestion, or cough. Satomura, K., Kitamura, T., Kawamura, T., Shimbo, T., Watanabe, M., Kamei, M., Tamakoshi, A. To use VapoRub for your cough, simply rub a small amount of the ointment onto your chest and throat before going to bed. Then I read about calming a cough with Vicks VapoRub on the soles of the feet. Dr Lynne Jordan, a chartered psychologist, said: 'One theory could be that it helps reduce stress. This only works when going to bed and never works for me during the day, wrote a woman named Julie. Wait and rest. If you decide to give it a try, be sure to follow the directions on the package and dont use too much Vicks, as it can irritate your skin. But it seems theres a better way to use Vicks than the method were all used to. 1572 . Its manufacturer, Procter and Gamble, recommends that Vicks is put lightly on the chest and back areas of kids and applied liberally for adults. A: For cough suppression, rub a thick layer of Vicks VapoRub on your chest and throat. The vapor rub is mainly used on a persons chest when they are suffering from a cold or even the flu. When you apply it to your feet and cover them with socks, the menthol is absorbed through your skin and into your bloodstream. Can Vicks VapoRub on Your Soles Calm Your Cough? Consider a Cough Medicine Formulated for Nighttime Use. Farage says family also targeted, Chaos and flames spreads across France in violent protests, Wagner troops reportedly shoot down Russian 'special mission' plane, Crash site of Russian plane reportedly shot down by Wagner, New Yorkers weigh in on SCOTUS scrapping student loan forgiveness. However, this is as far as the evidence to support the onion in sock home remedy goes. Zap Your Cough With a Vaporizer.More items02-Feb-2022. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Other possible contributors could be asthma, postnasal drip, acid reflux, smoking, cancer or infection. Dont use Vicks VapoRub on children under the age of 2, and use only as directed (on chest and throat only) for all children. Treatments & remedies to relieve runny nose, sore throat, fever, sinus & congestion. Can I choose the gender of a baby in IVF? No. One of the most common is putting Vicks VapoRub on your feet at night. Vicks VapoRub contains camphor an essential oil extracted from trees that is said to calm coughs and eucalyptus oil, which has antibacterial effects and is often used as a decongestant. When you put Vicks on your feet and cover them with socks, the menthol is absorbed into your body and can help to break up congestion and ease coughing. Joseph is an HVAC technician and a hobbyist blogger. This then circulates throughout your body, providing relief from cold symptoms like coughing and chest congestion. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.17240. In 1912, the formula was rebranded to Vicks VapoRub we know and use today. Ive been coughing every hour on the hour nonstop. Camphor comes from the wood of Cinnamomum camphora trees, and it is an ingredient in many oils and ointments. The short answer is no, there is no scientific evidence that Vicks on your feet can help cure a cold. Just dont expect miracles. He created Hvacbuster to share his knowledge and decade of experiences with people who dont have any prior knowledge about these devices. Aromatherapy is also a growing evidence-based practice where stimulation of smell receptors assists healing. Fact check: Does garlic help in rapid hair growth? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. There is no cure for colds, but a person can take steps to look after themselves if they feel a cold coming on. When people have coughs they tense up and as a result they breathe in more shallowly which irritates the cough further. 2023 HVAC Buster All Rights Reserved. COLD & FLU 10 Tips to Relieve Your Runny Nose or Nasal Congestion. Some doctors inject steroids, local anesthetics or Botox into the vocal cords. Procter and Gamble, the company that manufactures Vicks VapoRub, recommends that the healing ointment be rubbed lightly on the chest and back for optimal results. Medicines such, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We fact-checked and found the claim to be - Fact Check, Health Cures Fact Check . Rest. Try honey. (2005, November). In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [emailprotected]. Thats right, Vicks! That's why you should never put VapoRub in or around the nostrils especially a small child's nostrils. We avoid using tertiary references. Hes been working as an HVAC technician for almost 13 years, and he started blogging just a couple of years ago. No replies to any individual questions shall be effected through the articles. Applying Vicks to the feet, however, is unlikely to have any effect on cold symptoms. So if youre feeling under the weather, why not give this home remedy a try? OVERVIEW: "Adults and children 2 years and over: "For cough suppression "Rub a thick layer on throat and chest "Cover with a warm, dry cloth if desired "Keep clothing loose about throat and chest to help vapors reach the nose and mouth "Use up to three times daily or as directed by doctor" A Novel Explanation for How Vicks on the Feet Could Work: And it works every time. The skin on the soles of the feet (and that on the palms of the hands, too) has receptors that can sense compounds like the camphor and menthol in Vicks VapoRub. This could make breathing easier and help you sleep better, which could in turn make your cold seem less severe. Vick's BUY NOW: Vicks VapoRub, $26 for pack of two; amazon.com MacKinnon and Bean's studies show how overstimulated nerves trigger muscle cramps. The possible benefits of Vicks mostly come from inhaling the product, which means that it must be close to the nose. When applied to the chest and throat, it may help ease cold symptoms like nose and sinus congestion. These are beyond our normal conscious control. Garlic and onions: Their cancer prevention properties. Hubby to the rescue again: Try the Vicks VapoRub on your soles.. As described above, we think Vicks works by stimulating nerves that control the cough center. Vicks was first concocted in the 1890s by pharmacist Lunsford Richardson, from North Carolina. According to the National Onion Association, the claim that raw onion can treat the flu is a theory that dates back to the 1500s. However, some people find that using this home remedy provides relief from their symptoms. A few hours before bedtime I tried a prescription cough medicine. MORE TIPS. However, some people swear by it. Its manufacturer, Procter and Gamble, recommends that Vicks is put lightly on the chest and back areas of kids and applied liberally for adults. Don't use Vicks VapoRub on children under the age of 2, and use only as directed (on chest . Learn more. Can Placing Onions In Your Socks Really Cure Illnesses, Or Is All Just A Myth? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. There is no mention of feet but that hasn't stopped thousands.