Jan 27, 09 | Posted by: David Melbye, M.D.
Should I stop using VapoRub?
There has been a lot of talk about VapoRub recently in the news. It all stems from an article published in Chest, a medical journal. When researchers at Wake Forest studied the effects of VapoRub on ferret tracheas (apparently their tracheas are very similar to ours, who knew?), they found that it caused increased mucous secretion which is the opposite of what you want when your child has a cold. This is only one study and the evidence isn’t overwhelming but I would stop using it. There has never been any evidence that it helps, and now there is a chance it could be causing harm. When your child gets a cold, stick with the nasal saline, nasal suction, cool-mist vaporizers in the room at night and elevating the head of the bed. None of those suggestions are magic, but they will relieve some symptoms and won’t make anything worse.
2 Responses to “Should I stop using VapoRub?”
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February 2nd, 2009 at 11:46 am
Hello Dr. Melbye,
I thought the purpose of VapoRub was to increase the mucous in the system and help decongest the child. So is it okay to be used just as that?
February 4th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
I know this is a confusing issue. The main goal for decongesting is actually to loosen up the mucous that is already there so it will drain easier, which is why the saline nasal sprays work. According to the VapoRub study, the VapoRub may actually be producing more mucous that wasn’t already there, which would make your child feel worse. This is all new information that will need further research but since there has never been a proven benefit from VapoRub I would reccommend staying away from it.