There is no scientific proof that putting
The bottom line
Vicks VapoRub works best when used on the chest. There's no evidence that it helps cold symptoms if you put it on your feet. But Vicks VapoRub on the bottom of your feet may help relieve mild muscle aches, neuropathic foot pain, and moisturize dry skin.
Some people use Vicks to relieve minor muscle pain and aches. It is possible that applying Vicks to the feet could help with these symptoms in this area. It is important to note that Vicks does not treat the causes of a cold.
Some of the ingredients in Vicks VapoRub may be able to help clear up fungus on their own. Specifically, camphor, menthol, eucalyptus oil, and thymol. These compounds are naturally derived, and many are used in herbal medicine recipes.
Vicks VapoRub is an ointment that's rubbed on the throat and chest to relieve a cough. It's unsafe for any use in children under 2 years old. In adults and children age 2 and older, use it only on the neck and chest to ease coughing during a cold.
Vicks is your friend:
Paired with hot water and eucalyptus oil, it can double your phlegm fighting force! Not only is it antiviral (most chest coughs are viral infections), but it relieves your cough and loosens up mucus. Tip: Rub vicks on your or your child's chest each night before bed to let it work its magic.
Vicks VapoRub
However, it may also be effective against toenail fungus. One small study showed that after applying it topically each day for 48 weeks, 27.8% of participants fully cured their nail fungus — and 55.6% of participants saw partial improvement. However, more study is needed.
Vicks on Your Feet Won't Help a Cough
The is the part of your brain that regulates coughs. To date, there's no evidence that stimulating the foot affects the cough reflex. Even so, many people swear that rubbing their feet with Vicks and covering them with socks lessens the severity and duration of the common cold.
This can help whether you're the one with the infection or not. Wear clean, breathable socks to bed. If you share a bed with another person, the fungus may transfer to them via shared linens. Wearing clean socks to bed and washing sheets regularly minimizes transmission risk.
It contains camphor which is toxic if swallowed or absorbed into the body and the manufacturers do in fact warn that VapoRub should not be applied in or near the nostrils and not used on children under 2 years of age.
For an effective overnight cosmetic treatment, apply a thick layer of Vaseline® Healing Jelly Original to the heel after a bath or shower, when the skin is soft. Then, throw on a pair of cotton socks to keep the jelly in place – the cotton will allow the skin on your feet to breathe.
For example, a small study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Physicians in 2011 demonstrated that Vicks can help eliminate toenail fungus.
Some people use a humidifier in their bedroom to encourage their sinuses to drain. This makes it easier to breathe through your nose. Applying a product like Vicks VapoRub to your chest before bedtime also will help open your airway.
Q: How often can I use Vicks VapoRub? A: For cough suppression, Vicks VapoRub may be used up to 3 times daily or as directed by your doctor. Simply rub a thick layer on your chest and throat. For muscle/joint minor aches and pains, Vicks VapoRub may be applied to the affected area not more than 3 to 4 times daily.
The ingredients of Vicks VapoRub, menthol and camphor, have primarily superficial effects, but can provide a soothing sensation over an arthritic joint that is inflamed. What home remedies do you recommend for arthritis pain? Glucosamine and Chondroitin.
Lung Points on the Feet: Located on the balls of the feet just under the toes, applying pressure here can help clear chest congestion and improve breathing, easing symptoms like a dry cough.
Prescription medications, laser treatments, or surgical removal offer the best chance of permanently killing toenail fungus.
With the consistency of petroleum jelly, this product has been shown to treat nail fungus better than an antifungal cream when used for three months, according to a September 2022 review in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology.
What drinks remove mucus from the body? Water is the best choice, but herbal teas, chicken soup, and clear broths are good too. You'll want to stay away from drinks that could dry you out, like coffee, caffeinated (black) tea, wine, and alcoholic beverages.
The Science Behind It
Advocates of this remedy suggest that applying Vicks to the feet allows the active ingredients to be absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly than if applied to other areas. Additionally, the warmth created by wearing socks may enhance the absorption process.
If you have a long-term (chronic) lung problem associated with excessive mucus, or you have increased mucus from an infection, lying with your chest lower than your belly (abdomen) can help loosen and drain extra mucus from your lungs.