A lot of people rub Vicks VapoRub on their chest to relieve cough and other symptoms of cold and flu.
They do this mostly before bed to sleep better. But, did you know that some use this ointment to rub their soles as a way to relieve their cough?
How Effective is This Method?
People share this unusual cough treatment on social media. Apparently, you need to rub Vicks on the soles of your feet right before bed, and put on your socks.
People say they can feel Vick’s vapors reaching their throat. However, is this method effective, or not? So far, there is no scientific evidence to support this unusual cough treatment, but there are hundreds of people who claim this method has actually helped them.
Nevertheless, this treatment is not new. In March 2007, the treatment of rubbing the feet with a mentholated topical cream before sleeping, and putting on socks right after that, hit the online world. Although some scientists didn’t support this treatment, people say it’s an effective home remedy for cough, especially for children.
The psychologist, Dr. Lynne Jordan, explains this home cough treatment can actually work for some people as it can lower stress. Once the stress reduces in a person who’s wheezing and coughing, the discomfort will also decrease.
However, you shouldn’t rely completely on this treatment if your child coughs for several days. Visit a pediatrician to eliminate a possibly serious health problem, especially if your child:
- Has a wet and productive cough
- Coughs longer than 3 days, and has a fever
- Has difficulty breathing
- Has a cough that makes swallowing difficult and has other issues like fatigue
- Has a cough that affects his sleep.
Some experts can say rubbing Vicks VapoRub on the feet is just a placebo effect, but at the same time, a lot of people share their personal and positive experiences with this cough treatment.
Read more: Top 21 Unexpected Uses for Vicks VapoRub
Via Healthline