The Potential Dangers of Vicks VapoRub

According to a study appearing in this month’s issue of Chest, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians, products such as Vicks VapoRub may stimulate mucus production and airway inflammation, which can have serious negative effects on infants and young children.

The ingredients in Vicks can be irritants which cause the body to produce more mucus in order to protect the airway.  In children, whose airways are much more narrower than adults, this could lead to severe respiratory distress.

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Vicks VapoRub has also been reported to cause inflammation in the eyes and lungs, liver damage, and allergic reactions.

If your little one is suffering from a cold and congestion, instead of using a potentially hazardous product like Vicks (which also happens to be petroleum based), try using a humidifier, saline nasal spray, warm herbal teas and soups, and plenty of rest.  Also, to avoid spreading illness to other family members, sanitize areas where germs lurk, and make sure to encourage lots of hand washing.

Image credit:  Bob Reck on flickr Creative Commons.

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