Yes, for a cough from a common cold: the Vicks VapoRub label says that when you rub it on your chest and throat, it temporarily relieves cough from minor throat and bronchial irritation. The label says to keep clothing loose so the vapors from its camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus oil reach your nose and mouth, and not to put it inside your nose. Don't use it on children under 2, don't heat or microwave it, and stop and check in with a doctor if the cough lasts more than 1 week.
What does Vicks VapoRub do for a cough?
VapoRub is an over-the-counter ointment with 3 active ingredients. The label lists each one and what it's for:
On the chest and throat, the label says it temporarily relieves cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation linked to the common cold. On sore muscles and joints, it temporarily relieves minor aches and pains.
It is labeled as a cough suppressant that gives temporary relief. It isn't labeled to treat the cold itself, so expect it to ease the cough, not end the cold.
- Camphor 4.7%: cough suppressant and topical pain reliever
- Eucalyptus oil 1.2%: cough suppressant
- Menthol 2.6%: cough suppressant and topical pain reliever
How do you use it on your chest the right way?
The directions for adults and children 2 years and older are simple. The label says to keep clothing loose so the vapors can reach your nose and mouth.
- Rub a thick layer on your throat and chest.
- Cover with a warm, dry cloth if you want.
- Keep clothing loose around your throat and chest so the vapors can reach your nose and mouth.
- Use it up to 3 times a day, or as a doctor tells you.
- Don't use it on children under 2.
What does the label say never to do?
VapoRub is for external use only. Keep it away from your eyes. The label lists these as off limits:
If someone swallows it, the label says to get medical help or call Poison Control right away. In the US, Poison Help is 1-800-222-1222. MedlinePlus lists VapoRub among products that contain camphor, and swallowing camphor can cause vomiting, seizures, and slowed breathing.
- Not by mouth.
- Not in your nostrils. Rub it on the chest and throat instead.
- Not on wounds or damaged skin, and not under tight bandages.
- Don't heat it, microwave it, or add it to hot water or any container where you're heating water. The label warns it can splatter and cause burns.
- Not on children under 2.
Can kids use Vicks VapoRub?
Children 2 and older can use it, following the same label directions. Under 2, don't use it at all. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that when camphor is swallowed or absorbed through an infant's skin, it can be toxic, and the vapors can irritate an infant's airways.
For kids, the AAP says to apply it to the chest and front of the neck, and to keep it off the face, especially near the eyes and nose. Put the jar away out of reach after each use.
For a child who is at least 1 year old, the CDC says honey can help relieve a cough. Never give honey to a baby under 1.
Who should ask a doctor before using it?
The label says to ask a doctor first if your cough comes with a lot of phlegm (mucus), or if you have a long-lasting cough, like the kind that comes with smoking, asthma, or emphysema. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, the label says to ask a health professional before using it.
If you've seen the trick of putting Vicks on your feet with socks, that's a separate question. We cover it on our page about Vicks on your feet. The label directions are for the chest and throat.
When should you get care?
In an emergency, call 911Get care the same day if your cough is very severe or getting worse fast, you find it hard to breathe, you feel very unwell, you have chest pain, you're coughing up blood, or the side of your neck is swollen and painful.
See a doctor if you have trouble breathing or fast breathing, a fever for more than 4 days, symptoms that last more than 10 days without getting better, or a fever or cough that gets better and then comes back or gets worse.
Call 911 if someone is struggling to breathe, has a seizure, or won't wake up.
If anyone swallows VapoRub, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Call 911 if they have a seizure, trouble breathing, or pass out. Don't make them throw up unless poison control tells you to.
How our AI doctor decides when to send you to care ›When should you stop using it?
The label says to stop and ask a doctor if your cough lasts more than 1 week, keeps coming back, or comes with a fever, rash, or a headache that won't go away. It notes a cough that won't go away may be a sign of something serious.
A cough after a cold can take a while to fade. The NHS says most coughs clear up on their own within 3 to 4 weeks. Even so, if you're using VapoRub and the cough is still there after a week, that's the point the label says to check in.
Common questions
Does Vicks VapoRub help a cough?
Yes, the label says it temporarily relieves cough from minor throat and bronchial irritation tied to the common cold. Rub a thick layer on your chest and throat and keep clothing loose so the vapors reach your nose and mouth. It doesn't cure the cold. Don't use it on children under 2.
Can I put Vicks VapoRub in my nose?
No. The label says not to use it in your nostrils. The AAP also says to keep chest rubs off the face, especially near the eyes and nose, because they can irritate sensitive skin. Apply it to your chest and throat so you breathe in the vapors.
Can I put Vicks in hot water to breathe in the steam?
No. The label says not to heat it, microwave it, or add it to hot water or any container where you're heating water. It can splatter and cause burns. Use it on your chest and throat as the label directs.
How often can I use Vicks VapoRub for a cough?
Up to 3 times a day, or as a doctor tells you, for adults and children 2 and older. If the cough lasts more than 1 week, keeps coming back, or comes with a fever, rash, or headache that won't go away, stop and ask a doctor.
Is Vicks VapoRub safe for babies?
No. The label says don't use it on children under 2. The AAP says camphor can be toxic to an infant if swallowed or absorbed through the skin, and the vapors can irritate a baby's airways. Talk to your child's doctor about other ways to ease a baby's cough or stuffy nose.
Does Vicks on your feet work better than on your chest?
The label directions are for the chest and throat, where you can breathe in the vapors. The feet method isn't on the label. We go into it on our page about Vicks on your feet.
Pymander is not a replacement for a physician and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions about a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.