You know how uncomfortable sinus and nasal congestion can be, but have you ever wondered exactly what your sinuses are? If there is a specific structural issue that is causing your chronic sinusitis or sinus headaches then an ENT specialist may be able to correct it surgically. DOI: How does Vicks VapoRub relieve cold symptoms? 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. The fluid will help loosen the mucus in your lungs. Research from 2014 shows that camphor can be absorbed through your mucous membranes and is toxic, especially to toddlers and babies. Dabbing a small amount of the product on the area you want to protect may keep your pet at bay, but make sure your pet cant lick or chew the ointment off the surface. We love to slather our feet in the product before bed, apply socks, and sleep tight. Recommended Reading: How Long Until Sinus Infection Goes Away. The possible benefits of Vicks mostly come from inhaling the product, which means that it must be close to the nose. Vicks VapoRub can also damage the cornea, so keep it away from the eyes. Having the procedure could permanently improve your breathing and prevent sinus problems. The human skull contains four major pairs of hollow air-filled cavities called sinuses. (2014). DOI: Vecchio MI, et al. Depending on the severity of your illness, it may also be unsafe to use topical products containing menthol. Label: Vicks VapoRub (camphor synthetic, eucalyptus oil, and menthol ointment). It is a common condition, occurring in many cases following a cold. Discover how to lessen their appearance or get rid of them permanently. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Warming the ointment in warm water may aid this effect and is a common home remedy for sinus pressure and congestion however, you must be careful. Putting Vicks on the feet is unlikely to help with cold symptoms, though it may possibly have a cooling effect on this part of the body. We may be fans of Vicks, but insects decidedly are not. Natural Medicines. Repeat, if needed, up to three times in 24 hours. "Its important to only use sparingly as the jelly can be known to clog pores and might end up causing additional breakouts," says Sobel. the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Vicks Sinex SEVERE LiquiCaps, All-In-One Sinus Relief, Non-Drowsy, Nasal Decongestant, Maximum Strength Relief of Sinus Headache, Pain, Pressure, & Congestion, 24 LiquiCaps Visit the Vicks Store 4,979 ratings | 10 answered questions -43% $600 ($0.25 / Count) List Price: $10.49 Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime Save 5% on 4 select item (s). If youre wondering how you can clear your sinuses without the use of medication, then there are remedies that you can try. Along with the causes of dark, Split nails are often caused by an injury such as a stubbed toe or receiving a severe blow to a finger or thumb. Read Also: How To Cure Sinus Inflammation. It is a fast-acting nasal spray decongestant that shrinks swollen nasal membranes so you can breathe more freely. It helps seal in moisture, soothe cuts, and accelerate the skin healing process. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. "The product is very cooling, so it can certainly help with minor bruises to calm the skin," confirms Sobel. Review/update the How should you NOT apply Vicks Vaporub for Tinnitus? A comparison of topical menthol to ice on pain, evoked tetanic and voluntary force during delayed onset muscle soreness. Petroleum jelly is composed of natural mineral oils and waxes. Vicks VapoRub contains menthol, eucalyptus and other ingredients in a petrolatum base 1. Viruses cause most sinus infections, but bacteria can cause some sinus infections. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Wake up in the morning to flawless feet. Essential oils can treat cold symptoms and even shorten your colds duration. When youre suffering from sinus congestion and pressure, you probably feel it most in your eyes, forehead and cheeks. The age-old mentholated topical cream relieves head, throat, and chest stuffiness. "This is the major substance in Vicks, aside from Vicks use in upper respiratory infections, that can be used to repel mosquitoes and even fleas.". Over-the-counter nasal decongestants reduce blood flow to the nasal membranes, which decreases swelling and congestion. Long-term misuse of petroleum-based oils like Vicks VapoRub can cause a rare form of pneumonia called exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) when applied to the nose or nostrils. Studies have shown that using Vicks VapoRub according to the instructions on the package may help improve sleep quality. Dont use it on children younger than 2 years old, as it can cause serious health concerns for them. It could also be an effective treatment for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis. and sinus infection. Understanding more about your sinuses can help you get some much-needed sinus and nasal congestion relief. Nguyen says sinus problems arent always related to infections. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. https://vicks.com/en-us/shop-products/vaporub/vaporub-topical-ointment. Chronic sinusitis may have many of the same symptoms as acute sinusitis, but the symptoms last longer or are more severe. This ointment can be rubbed on your chest and under your nose to deliver its soothing benefits. Extreme fatigue would make preparing meals, changing diapers, and keeping others safe and entertained exceptionally difficult. Topical camphor absorbed through mucous membranes or broken skin also can be toxic. Vicks VapoRub has been around for over 100 years and is known as one of the most widely used over-the-counter decongestants. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Thats because these areas hold your largest sinus capillaries. Mandy Zee is a contributing writer for Byrdie. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Allergens stimulate white blood cells in the blood and tissues to release histamine into the circulation, which causes nasal congestion. Rub it on your wrists to ease carpal tunnel syndrome. There are many OTC options available, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and ipratropium bromide (Atrovent). Ojeda IC, et al. It's unsafe for any use in children under 2 years old. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. 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. Another theory is that they help decrease the weight of the skull and enhance our voices. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. It is best to keep this product out of reach of any younger children. Vicks VapoRub is typically applied to the throat and chest to relieve cough due to the common cold 1 6. However, other symptoms such as pain or pressure around the sinuses, achy teeth, and thick yellow or green mucus indicate that your cold has progressed into a sinus infection. Accessed June 7, 2019. Try applying a bit to any joints where you are experiencing discomfort. Vicks Sinex. We Asked the Experts, Confirmed: The Uses for Witch Hazel Are Pretty Much Endless, Forget DeetThese Essential Oils Repel Mosquitos and Soothe Bites, Bhringraj Is an Ayurvedic Oil That Helps With Everything From Dandruff to Dry Skin, How to Use Lavender Oil to Soothe Your Skin, Emu Oil Has Been a Dry Skin Fix for Nearly 40,000 YearsHere's Why, The 12 Best Natural Bug Sprays for Summer, The 17 Best Acne Spot Treatments of 2023 to Zap Pimples Fast, Does Tea Tree Oil Really Work For Acne? The researchers tested the vapor rub on 138 children ages 2 to 11. include protected health information. Doctors, researchers, and the products manufacturer have recommended Vicks VapoRub for the following purposes. However, Vicks does not actually lower body temperature. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. It's like pouring a cup of tea for your nose, literally. This is a skin rash, redness, or irritation triggered by a chemical. In some cases, using Vicks VapoRub on the skin might cause contact dermatitis. Also Check: Does Advil Relieve Sinus Pressure. Other infections. Learn more about the research here. But more research is needed to support the anecdotal claims about its usefulness as a treatment for dry, calloused skin on the feet. It can cause a skin reaction, and in large enough amounts, it can cause seizures and even death. (2015). Int J Sports Phys Ther. Here are 10 science-backed ways to try to shorten the aches, chills, sneezing, and coughing of, Sipping a hot cup of tea makes us feel better when we're sick, but certain teas may actually ease the symptoms of your cold. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist. They can help open up your nasal passages and decrease pressure in your sinuses. But the strong menthol odor of VapoRub may trick your brain, so you feel like you're breathing through an unclogged nose. It is important to note that Vicks does not treat the causes of a cold. So, what can you do to help? The mechanism that allows easy passage of water is essentially a teapot. Flu activity has been very high this year, even though it is just the start of flu season. The parents surveyed reported that using vapor rub helped to ease symptoms the most. Fumes from VapoRub temporarily open the airways, allowing relief from chest and sinus pressure and congestion. The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of tea tree oil make it one of the best essential oils for sinus infections ( 11 ). Then youll need to hold your head above the water. Vicks VapoRubis a common home remedy used to alleviatecertain foot conditions, including athletes foot. Sinusitis, also referred to as sinus infection or rhinosinusitis, is inflammation of the sinuses. (2017). Ud-Din S, et al. They can come in the form of a tablet, a nasal spray, nasal droplets, or a syrup. Surprising Purposes of Vicks VapoRub.Sinus Headaches.Vicks VapoRub is a great home cure for the treatment of sinus headaches. For fast relief, try Sinex Severe All-in-One Sinus Liquicapsthe non-drowsy formula contains a powerful pain reliever and phenylephrine, a safe and effective decongestant. 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. Last medically reviewed on October 16, 2019, Everyone wants to know how to get rid of a cold fast. Cold and flu viruses: How long can they live outside the body? 4 Tips to Relieve Sinus and Nasal Congestion. How to use onions under your feet for detox: Advertisement. Methanol in Vicks helps in easing and reducing headache and cold inflicted sinus. There are also tiny sinuses called sphenoid sinuses located in the bones behind your nose. Some studies suggest that Vicks could help reduce cold symptoms at night in children, but more research is necessary to confirm this finding. They most often appear around puberty and pregnancy. Procter & Gamble lists the following active ingredients in Vicks VapoRub: It also contains several inactive ingredients that may be responsible for some of its popular uses: The salve has a strong menthol scent and a petroleum jelly-like texture. "Vicks VapoRub has three major oils in its ingredients. 2012;7(3):314-322. There's no evidence that putting Vicks VapoRub on your feet will relieve a cold, congestion, or cough. Vicks VapoRub would likely not have the same cold benefits if used on the feet. This may also temporarily soothe aches and pain from a feverish cold. (2016). Decongestants There are many types of medications that can help relieve sinus pain. Nevertheless, some people report success in fading stretch marks using Vicks VapoRub. Unlike a common cold, which at least has the decency to pass when you sleep it off and take the right medications, managing chronic sinus pain is a bit trickier. These include brands like Tiger Balm, Campho-Phenique, and Bengay. Decongestant - to relieve sinus congestion and remove excess mucus; Febrifuge - to address any low-grade fever that might be present; Immune system support - to help your body fight infections; Respiratory system support - to aid in decongestion and difficulty breathing; The 4 Best Essential Oils for Sinus Infections & Congestion Heat a clove of garlic (10 seconds in a microwave), apply some of the ointment on it and keep it inside the ear. Your cheekbones hold your maxillary sinuses (which are the largest), your forehead is home to your frontal sinuses, and the area between your eyes contains your ethmoid sinuses. It's a salt flush for your nose. Plenty of natural home remedies can also help with the symptoms of cold and flu. 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