Is It Safe To Use Vicks Vaporub During Pregnancy?

Is It Safe To Use Vicks Vaporub During Pregnancy?

Vicks® VapoRub ® is a topical treatment that works quickly to relieve cough and muscle aches. The active ingredients are: menthol, eucalyptus oil and camphor, which can reduce pain and "freshen up" the nasal passages. Many consider the ingredients of VapoRub as "natural aromatics", so it is thought to be safe for use during pregnancy.

Use of VapoRub during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a period when women closely monitor what they consume, to ensure their safety and that of their unborn children. Informative websites such as babycenter. com states that it is perfectly safe to use this product during pregnancy. Studies show that the ingredients found in VapoRub can be harmful to young children, but it is currently unknown that it is harmful during pregnancy.

Safety

As of 2009, safety concerns have been raised about products containing camphor, one of the main active ingredients in the VapoRub. According to the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, camphor products are toxic and dangerous especially to young children. Trying or eating camphor can cause seizures. Applying balsams or ointments in large quantities and adding it to the water in a room humidifier can also cause small ones to convulse. Other symptoms of poisoning include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, irritability and agitation.

Research

A study from Wake Forest University states that VapoRub can stimulate mucus production and inflammation of the airways, which can have serious effects on the breathing of an infant or small child.

"The ingredients in Vicks can be irritating, causing the body to produce more mucus to protect the respiratory tract," as established by Dr. Bruce K. Rubin, MD, FCCP, the lead author of the Department's study Pediatrics from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC "Babies and young children have airways that are much narrower than adults, so any mucus buildup or swelling can narrow more severely".

It is unknown whether side effects may occur in pregnant women.

Efficacy

The VapoRub has been used for generations and is one of the best-selling products to refresh without a prescription. The Mayo Clinic states that VapoRub is generally safe when used according to instructions, and that its aromatic ingredients can help some blocked noses feel more open, producing a fresh sensation in the nose.

Conclusion

Because the information is uncertain about the severity of VapoRub during pregnancy, the best course of action is to speak with your doctor before using it. Respect the package instructions and be careful not to ingest it, do not apply it to the eyes, nose, mouth or injured skin. Also, do not use it if you are allergic to eucalyptus oil, menthol or camphor.

Video Tutorial: Is It Safe To Use Vicks While Pregnant?.

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