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Vicks VapoRub is a common cold remedy that uses medicated vapors to help ease symptoms. Some of the main ingredients are camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus, and these help to relieve cough and nasal congestion. While most people use it when they have a cold, there are many other uses for Vicks VapoRub you might not know about.
I love versatile products. When I can use something that I already have at home for multiple purposes, it makes my heart happy! Instead of having to buy various products, I can trim down my shopping list.
Here are some ways to use Vicks VapoRub. You might be a bit surprised at some of these uses.
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17 Uses for Vicks VapoRub
1. Relieve Your Cough
The primary purpose of Vicks VapoRub is to get rid of a cough. You can apply it to your chest, back, or feet. The ingredients help to break up the chest congestion that is keeping you up at night.
The best trick is to apply a thick layer of Vicks on your feet at bedtime. Slide on a comfortable pair of old socks and go to bed. You’ll feel better when you wake up and the rest of the next day.
2. Helps to Relieve Muscle and Back Pain
Have you ever used an IcyHot product on your back for muscle pain? You can use Vicks VapoRub to create that same effect. All you have to do is spread a bit on the affected area.
For even more relief, spread on the Vicks and then apply a hot compress. Together, this can soothe sore muscles, mimicking the same sensation as IcyHot.
3. Insect Repellent
Vicks is strongly scented, and insects cannot stand things that have a strong scent. So, one way to get rid of insects that are bugging you is to apply a bit of Vicks to your arms, legs, neck, and other areas of exposed skin.
4. Kicks Headaches Fast
When you have a cold, applying some Vicks acts as a decongestant. So, one of the uses for Vicks VapoRub is to use it to clear your head and alleviate cranial pain. Sinus headaches respond particularly well to this method. Just breathe it in; you don’t have to apply it to your head.
5. Relieves Earaches
Earaches can make you feel terrible. If you need to kick it fast, try covering a cotton ball with Vicks and placing it in your ear for several hours. It helps to reduce any irritating symptoms that come along with an earache.
One thing to remember is that this method works to relieve the pain, but if an infection causes your pain, it doesn't get rid of that ear infection. Be sure to give your doctor a call if it doesn't clear up fast to receive treatment.
6. Treats Cuts and Scrapes
Truth be told, this use for Vicks baffled me at first, but it works great when it comes to healing minor cuts and scrapes. That doesn’t mean you should apply it to cuts that need stitches.
Clean the area around your cut and apply Vicks to clean skin once or twice daily until the area is healed. VapoRub creates a thick barrier between your cuts. However, be aware that some of these ingredients may cause pain or a burning sensation. If you notice that, take it off immediately and use Neosporin or another brand of triple antibiotic ointment.
7. Prevent Skin Infections
Skin wounds and burns can become infected quickly if you don't take the right precautions. One of those precautions is applying some Vicks VapoRub over the area to prevent infections from developing. However, be sure to tell your doctor if it becomes worse.
8. Humidify Your Sleep
You can add Vicks VapoRub into your humidifiers and vaporizers, but make sure it's the right type that can take it. They need to have an aromatherapy compartment before you try this tip. When you add it to these devices, it helps to circulate Vicks throughout the air. That enables you to breathe more comfortable as you sleep.
9. Gets Rid of Bruises
Another one of the uses for Vicks VapoRub is to reduce swelling and inflammation associated with bruises. If you add a pinch of salt to the Vicks and apply it directly to your bruise, it can quicken the healing process. You’ll be amazed at the results!
10. Soothe Sunburns
When summertime comes around, you still have several uses for Vicks VapoRub. You know that cooling feeling you get when you apply Vicks to your chest when you're sick.
Using it on your sunburn gives you the same sense, and it helps to get rid of that stinging sensation. All you have to do is rub it on the sunburned area.
11. Deters Pet Accidents
Nothing is more frustrating than your pet continually having accidents in the same spot. If you’re ready to stop this vicious cycle of seeing your pet peeing inside of your house, rub some Vicks VapoRub in the places where the incidents happen most often.
This method works for both cats and dogs. Vicks is such a strong scent that any animal with a strong sense of smell will find this method deterring.
12. Feet Care
Your grandma might know this little trick. You can use Vicks as a home remedy to kick certain foot conditions. It’s a fantastic treatment for athlete’s foot and cracked heels.
Make sure you slip on your socks after you apply a thick layer of Vicks. Just be sure to use old socks and not the socks that you plan to use the next day. The menthol smell is sure to drive everyone away from you.
In the morning, wash your feet with cold water. It helps to get rid of the scent. Then, use a pumice stone to scrub away any of the dead skin. After that, use whatever regular foot care product that you typically try. Do this every night, and you’ll see amazing results.
This trick works for several reasons. Some of the ingredients are also antimicrobial, so it can help to get rid of fungus or other microbes that might cause foot issues. Also, Vicks include petroleum jelly in their ingredients, which locks in moisture that is needed for any dry or cracked skin.
13. Skin Care
If you have dry skin, using Vicks can have amazing effects. You can apply it to cracked, weather-damaged skin to restore softness and smoothness.
Another way that you can use Vicks is if you suffer from acne or eczema. You can use this gel to soothe skin, reduce inflammation, and clear up your skin. Menthol is antimicrobial and drying. If you have acne, you can put a bit on the spots to help them dry out overnight.
14. Treats Toenail Fungus
We know that Vicks can help with footcare for an abundance of issues, but you might not have thought about using this product on your toenails. Apply some Vicks to the affected toenails each night and then put those socks over the top.
The next day, wash your feet with cold water (helps to get rid of the menthol scent) and clip off as much of the infected nail as possible. Repeat this process every night until your toenail has recovered completely.
15. Stops Cats from Scratching
Cats are notorious for scratching up furniture and other objects that they shouldn't scratch. So, if your beloved feline has decided to make your couch cushion, wall, or recliner his new scratching post, you can deter him from doing so by spraying the area down with Vicks VapoRub.
Cats have super strong sniffers. The scent of Vicks is quite strong, so cats stay far away from it.
16. Reduces Stretch Marks
Stretch marks aren't appealing to anyone, and no one wants to have them on their bodies. This might be one of the most surprising uses for Vicks VapoRub. I know that I was undoubtedly baffled!
All you have to do is spread Vicks on the affected areas daily, and you should see the results within a few weeks. Some say that it doesn’t work, but it’s worth a shot since it’s such a simple remedy.
17. Gets Rid of Belly Fat
Here is the last use for Vicks VapoRub that you might way to try. You can mix one tablespoon of crushed tablet camphor, one tablespoon alcohol, one tablespoon of baking soda, and half a jar of Vicks VapoRub until you get a paste.
Then, before you exercise, apply this paste across your abdomen or to the area that you are hoping to work on while exercising. Then, wrap this area with plastic wrap. When you're finished with your workout, rinse it off with water.
This method might sound strange, but it has the same effect as slimming creams that you can purchase online. It takes about 2-3 weeks to notice a difference.
Conclusion
Finding uses for Vicks VapoRub might be easier than you imagined. It's a versatile, useful product that can be used for everything from kicking your chest cold to the curb to getting rid of bugs that are bothering you. Make sure you stock up, so you always have a few jars in your cabinet.
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