Is Vicks VapoRub safe?

What does Vicks VapoRub do and what are the uses of Vicks VapoRub?

Vicks VapoRub is an ointment primarily marketed to temporarily relieve coughing when applied to the chest or neck. Vicks VapoRub contains menthol and camphor, which create a cooling sensation in the nose. It also contains eucalyptus oil, a cough suppressant. When applied to the skin, the ingredients in Vicks VapoRub cause a sensation of cleared nostrils and improved breathing, relieving stuffy noses and other signs and symptoms of nasal congestion. 

In addition to relieving nasal congestion, the ingredients in Vicks VapoRub can also be used to treat other conditions. Menthol reduces the skin’s sensitivity to pain, and Vicks VapoRub can be used as a topical pain reliever (analgesic) for muscle and joint aches. The main ingredients in Vicks VapoRub have antifungal properties and have been studied as a treatment of  toenail fungus, although the product is not FDA-approved as a treatment for this condition. 

What are the side effects of Vicks VapoRub?

Vicks VapoRub may cause redness and irritation when applied to the skin. In rare cases, allergic reactions, including hives or rashes, may occur after use of Vicks VapoRub on the skin. Thermal and chemical burns can occur if heated Vicks VapoRub is applied to the skin. To reduce the risk of burns, do not heat Vicks VapoRub, put it into a microwave, add it to hot water, or use it near open flames. Skin lightening is a rare complication that may occur if Vicks VapoRub is applied to the face. 

Is Vicks VapoRub safe for pregnancy? 

When used as directed, Vicks VapoRub is safe to use during pregnancy. Studies of people who used camphor (an active ingredient in VapoRub) on the skin during pregnancy did not show evidence of fetal harm. However, camphor can cause miscarriage when swallowed. Because of this, pregnant people should wash their hands after using Vicks VapoRub to avoid accidentally swallowing the product. To avoid accidental consumption by nursing infants, this product should not be applied to the chest during lactation.

VapoRub inhalation: Can Vicks hurt your lungs?

While inhaling small amounts of Vicks VapoRub is unlikely to damage the lungs, excessive use of Vicks under the nose is associated with a rare form of pneumonia called lipoid pneumonia. The ointment base in Vicks VapoRub contains a petroleum product (petrolatum). When applied in or under the nose every day for many months or years, petrolatum can travel through nose and lodge into lung tissue, causing lipoid pneumonia. This is more common in very young children and older adults who may not have the ability to protect their airways from the dangerous effects of petrolatum. Symptoms of lipoid pneumonia include cough, chest pain, fever, and chills. These signs and symptoms often disappear within months to a year of stopping use of the product. 

Can you eat Vicks VapoRub?

Vicks VapoRub is not safe to eat. When swallowed, the camphor in Vicks VapoRub can cause nausea,  vomiting, seizures, and death. Small children are at increased risk for toxicity after consumption of camphor-containing products. 

Is Vicks VapoRub dangerous? What to do if Vicks gets in your eye, ear or nose

While Vicks VapoRub is safe when used on the skin and for short durations of time, using too much or eating it can lead to severe toxicity. Application to the face and around the eye can result in eyelid swelling, blisters, and damage to the cornea (the outer layer of the eyeball). At least two people have developed permanent eye damage after accidentally applying Vicks VapoRub into their eyes.  

Vicks VapoRub is flammable and should not be heated. There are two published cases that describe severe eye injuries that occurred after people heated Vicks VapoRub in a microwave oven. In one case, the individual placed the ointment in a glass container, added water, and placed it in the microwave to heat. In the other case, ointment without water was heated. In both cases, the product exploded, and both patients required surgery to repair the damage. 

Vicks VapoRub should not be used in the ear. If Vicks VapoRub gets in your ear, you should immediately rinse the ear with room-temperature tap water. 

What should I do if my child eats Vicks VapoRub? 

If someone develops unexplained or unexpected symptoms after using Vicks VapoRub, get guidance from Poison Control immediately. Help from Poison Control is available at www.poison.org and by phone at 1-800-222-1222. Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.

Written by:
Jose A. Montanez
PharmD Candidate 2023

Medically reviewed by:
Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD
Medical Toxicologist