Why You Shouldn’t Put Vicks VapoRub on Your Kid’s Feet for a Cough

Your kid will come down with a cough from time to time. And sometimes the cough can make them feel miserable, and you'll want to try all the cough home remedies you can. One that has long made its way into homes is the mentholated ointment Vicks VapoRub. But does it actually work? Is it safe for kids? And what about the rumor that rubbing Vicks VapoRub on your child's feet can stop a cough?

According to medical experts, rubbing Vicks VapoRub on feet isn't likely to be effective for cough and other cold and flu symptoms. Here's why along with everything else you need to know about using Vicks VapoRub for a cough.

What Is Vicks VapoRub?

Vicks VapoRub is a topical ointment that can be found over the counter. Its three active ingredients are camphor oil, menthol oil, and eucalyptus oil. It's meant to be used as a cough suppressant or to treat minor aches and pains in muscles and joints when applied on the skin.

How Vicks VapoRub Works for Cold Symptoms

How does Vicks VapoRub work when someone has a cold? "The scent of menthol in Vicks VapoRub triggers cold receptors in your nose and upper airway, where you sense temperature and smell," explains Satya D. Narisety, MD, a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Rutgers University. "It doesn't actually open up airways or break up mucous, but the menthol does trick your brain into thinking your airways are opening up and you're not so congested."

When used for cold symptoms, it's meant to be rubbed on the chest or neck so that you are able to smell the oils, and research shows it may be helpful for children dealing with cough and congestion. According to a study published in Pediatrics, applying VapoRub to the chest of children ages 2 to 11 offered symptomatic relief of their nocturnal cough and congestion and, ultimately, led to a better night's sleep.

"With a viral infection, the body will fight it off on its own; it will do what it's going to do," says Dr. Narisety. "In that case, there's nothing wrong with putting something on that will make your child feel better. The VapoRub eases symptoms like Tylenol does to reduce fever."

Is Using Vicks VapoRub on Feet Dangerous or Effective?

There are anecdotal stories of curing a cough by rubbing Vicks VapoRub on the chest and on the bottom of your child's feet, covering them with a warm towel for 30 seconds, and repeating a few times. Though it sounds odd, some parents swear that come morning, the nagging cough is a distant memory. But is this balm really all that stands between your kid and a clean bill of health?

Not necessarily, say the experts. The key is making sure the menthol vapors of VapoRub can be inhaled, says Preeti Parikh, MD, a board-certified pediatrician in private practice in New York City, assistant clinical professor in the pediatrics department at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and an American Academy of Pediatrics fellow and spokesperson.

When slathering VapoRub on the soles of the feet and wrapping them in a warm towel, it's unlikely the vapors will travel enough to be inhaled. Instead, experts recommend massaging it onto your child's chest, where they can smell the menthol from a safe distance.

While it's unlikely to cure a cough, there may be some other benefits to rubbing VapoRub on the feet. For example, research shows it can treat pesky toenail fungus and ease nerve pain in the feet. But you'll still want to speak with a health care provider before using the product as a fungal cure or for pain relief.

Vicks VapoRub Risks

Vicks VapoRub is generally safe, but parents should be vigilant when using it on children for several reasons:

• It’s not meant for children under 2 years old.
• Camphor is dangerous when ingested. It can cause seizures and other side effects, so always keep it away from your child's face, including directly under the nostrils. 
• You shouldn’t apply Vicks VapoRub on broken skin or open wounds.
• It can cause skin irritation that's worse than the symptoms it was initially used to treat.

When To Seek Medical Help for a Cough

VapoRub will only get a coughing kid so far. A cough is a symptom of a larger issue, so true relief will come once your child has gotten over the illness or their health care provider figures out the underlying problem and treats it accordingly, says Dr. Narisety. Seasonal allergies, inflammation, and viral or bacterial infections are just some of the possible culprits.

"A cough is not always a bad thing and does not always need to be treated," Dr. Parikh says. "Many coughs after illnesses can linger up to four weeks."

But a call to your child's health care provider is in order if:

• The cough is chronic
• The cough is wet and lasts longer than a few days
• The cough is accompanied by a fever that lasts for several days
• Your child has difficulty breathing
• The cough is interfering with sleep, activities, or swallowing, or it's associated with any other symptoms like dehydration or vomiting
• Your child is under 3 months of age