One of the most popular medical products in the United States is almost-pop-cult Vicks VapoRub. Although it is usually associated with the ointment, yet Vicks VapoRub is in fact a whole line of over-the-counter medications, which are owned by the American company Procter & Gamble. Vicks is also the manufacturer of sister medications NyQuil and DayQuil, but also the equally famous Formula 44 cough medicines, their own brand cough drops and several other types of breathing treatments.

 

VapoRub, the most famous product of the brand, is of the ointment category, more precisely a mentholated topical cream. Its purpose is to aid in minor medical conditions that hinder breathing temporarily. Among the conditions where VapoRub is most often used is the common cold. VapoRub is usually applied to the chest area, before sleeping.

 

Recent studies have, however, provided negative publicity for this popular remedy. It seems that Vicks VapoRub has been linked to inflamed airwaves, which can lea to breathing restrictions in infants and toddlers, according to a recently-conducted study.

 

The study was commenced by the doctors at the Wake Forest University, after they had treated a girl of only 18 months for severe respiratory distress, as a possible result of direct exposure to VapoRub – the ointment was passed under her nose. The company, however, clearly discourages the use of VapoRub in children under 2 and forbids the inhaling of the substance.