Side effect of Vicks Vaporub
Vicks Vaporub®, like other medications, can have adverse effects. These do not necessarily have to occur. A particularly serious and serious side effect observed is that in infants and toddlers up to 2 years of age.
Laryngeal cramps and life-threatening respiratory disorders have been reported. In addition, it is possible at any age to develop allergic reactions on the skin. These manifest themselves in redness or irritation or in so-called contact allergies.
Coughing irritation or shortness of breath have been observed in some cases after inhaling the active ingredient combination. Experts disagree on the frequency of occurrence of the side effects. If these side effects occur during application, the preparations should be avoided. Consultation with a doctor should be sought.
Interaction of Wick Vaporub®
So far, no interactions are known. Nevertheless, interactions are not excluded. It is recommended to inform the doctor or pharmacist if other drugs have been taken recently or currently.
Contraindications of Vicks Vaporub®
Vicks Vaporub® is contraindicated if allergies to any of the ingredients are known. Vicks Vaporub® is not recommended for people with certain respiratory diseases, such as so-called bronchial asthma.Inhaling the combination of active ingredients can trigger an asthma attack and in extreme cases even life-threatening shortness of breath. Vicks Vaporub® preparations are contraindicated in infants and toddlers under 2 years of age.
Children under 6 years of age must not inhale the preparations. In general, only external application is indicated. Application on the face is contraindicated.
The application of the cold ointment on injured, burned or inflamed skin, on mucous membranes or on open wounds should be avoided at all costs. In addition, the ointment should not be used for skin rashes, for example in the context of skin diseases or childhood illnesses. Furthermore, Vicks Vapurub® is not suitable for whooping cough, pneumonia and the so-called pseudocroup, as well as for tendency to glottal spasms.
Vicks Vapurub® cold ointment
Vicks Vapurub® Cold Ointment is the product which is the best known and most used of the preparations. The 100 g of Vicks Vapurub cold ointment usually contains 5.0 g camphor, 1.5 g eucalyptus oil, 2.75 g levomenthol and 5.0 g turpentine oil. Further ingredients are the essential juniper wood oil, white vaseline and thymol.
The ointments are available in 25 g, 50 g and 100 g packages. Sometimes there are special sizes. The ointment is rubbed on the chest, neck and back as desired.
This application corresponds to a so-called cold inhalation. Due to the body heat, the active substances in the ointment evaporate and are inhaled by inhalation. The manufacturer assumes that they have a soothing effect right into the bronchi.
The cold ointment should be used properly and not rubbed in under a tight bandage, for example. In addition, the simultaneous use of a hot-water bottle, a heat pad or any other type of heat treatment should be avoided. As a rule, it is recommended to rub Vicks Vaporub® Cold Ointment 2 – 4 times a day on the chest and back carefully.
The amount of ointment to be rubbed in depends on age. For children aged 2-5 years, half a teaspoon to a maximum of one teaspoon of the cold ointment should be used. For children from 6 – 12 years 1 – 2 teaspoons are recommended.
Adults should take a dose of about 2 – 3 teaspoons of the ointment. For very sensitive people a lower dosage may be sufficient. A distinction is made between warm and cold inhalation.
Classically, the cold ointment of Vicks Vapurub® is “cold inhaled” when it is rubbed on the neck, chest and back. As an alternative to this type of cold inhalation there is also a separate inhalation stick. This stick can be used at any time on the road by holding it against the nose for a few seconds.
It is also possible to use Vicks Vaporub® Cold Ointment as a warm inhalation solution. For this purpose you need the ointment, water, a pot or a heat-stable bowl with a large diameter and a towel. To inhale, 1 – 2 teaspoons of Vicks Vapurub® are poured over 0.5 liters of hot water for children over 6 years of age and for adults.
As a rule, the vapors should then be inhaled for 10 – 15 minutes. A repetition several times a day is often advisable. It is important to follow the general recommendations for inhalation.
For example, continue breathing at normal frequency. Breathing too deeply or too quickly when inhaling can lead to dizziness or headaches. Furthermore, everything should always be done in your own comfort zone.
In concrete terms, this means, depending on individual sensations, lifting the towel from time to time when it is no longer bearable under it. Also the water (steam) temperature should be chosen individually. Simple inhalers can also be used instead of the bowl.
In this case, however, the dosage must be observed. Often a fraction of the ointment is sufficient. Nebulizers carry the risk of irritation of the mucous membranes and should therefore not be used.