Vicks VapoRub May Make Children Sicker

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

13 Jan 2009 11:09 AM

Chances are pretty good that you might have had Vicks VapoRub placed on your chest, the soles of your feet or under your nose when you had a respiratory illness as a child. My mother used this product so often on me that the local pharmacist used to put some aside for us whenever a new shipment came in. I've used it myself on my children, although only occasionally. And I am sure that we are not alone in using this product. One billion units of Vicks VapoRub were sold in the united states in the last five years.

MSNBC.com is reporting a story that may change all of our opinions on the product, or perhaps not. A researcher who tried the product on ferrets (who have similar reparatory systems to those of infants and young children) claims that Vicks VapoRub may actually make children sicker and aggravate respiratory illness.

The study was spurred on by a case of an 18-month-old girl who needed emergency room treatment after her grandparents used the salve under her nose. And other doctors in emergency rooms reported the same situations. The thoughts are that Vicks VapoRub actually makes the airways smaller and more mucus produced, while fooling the brain into thinking that airways are actually more open. In a young child, this reaction can be especially injurious.

One thing that needs to be mentioned is that the product is not intended for use on anyone under two years of age, and the label says so clearly.

The study was conducted by Dr. Bruce K. Rubin. Dr Rubin, who is a vice chairman of the department of pediatrics at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C., recommends that no one put the salve under or in the nose, no matter if they are a adult or child.

Proctor and Gamble, who make the product, refute the study saying that there is not enough conclusive information. They have hired their own researcher to conduct a clinical trial on the product.

What do you think?

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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Dale Harcombe (10373) 13 Jan 2009 01:27 PM

Have to say I find it hard to believe. Our parents, aunts, grandparents used it and so did and we all survived and found it to be a help. I'm often interested in what the 'experts' claim is not good for kids these days when for years it was fine.

Valorie Delp (49340) 13 Jan 2009 05:50 PM

My mom says she put it on my feet. With that said, here's my take on it: I suspect that for some kids who are more prone to respiratory illness, it might cause an issue. Two of my kids have issues with vapo rub. . .the others are fine. Kind of interesting.

ruthann8 (6378) 14 Jan 2009 10:23 AM

They do have a Vicks Baby VapoRub but I forgot what the age was. In fact I was reading the label yesterday but I forgot already :) I will be interested in what further research says.

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 14 Jan 2009 10:28 AM

There is a milder version, but I've heard that it could leave a rash in young children.

drnewmom (307) 14 Jan 2009 12:45 PM

Hmmm... I think the point here is that the children who suffered respiratory distress had it put UNDER THEIR NOSE, not on their chest. The vapors are very irritating so close and THAT is why the kids had the severe reactions. Their nostrils are so small in diameter, any swelling is a BAD thing. That being said, I don't see how the product isn't safe when used per the directions printed right on the bottle. I am sure the grandparents were thinking it would be stronger (they were right) and therefore better or more effective under the nose (wrong). In a completely different direction, perfectly healthy adults use it under their noses all the time ... those would be the adults that work in a very stinky job (dead stuff, garbage, etc...). I can attest it covers nasty smells quite effectively!

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 14 Jan 2009 04:21 PM

Oh wow--I never knew that VapoRub was an application for stinky smells. Makes sense, though.