What exactly does smearing Vicks Vaperrub do?

[LCG]

Vicks rub under the nose and chest, nasal rinse, Buckleys, and some neo citran...works everytime. Attack it hard

[VolFan]

Rub it on you feet and wear socks to bed. I have no idea why, but it works pretty darn well. 

[herder]

Mustard plaster anyone ?

[Dirtyeggroll]

The menthol in Vick’s stimulates the TRPM8 receptor lining the nasal and lower airway mucosa. This in turn produces a sensation of cool. Air moving through the airway is also cool relative to stagnant humidified air, and thus the menthol simulates the sensation of increased airflow. Fluid dynamics studies of the airways, however, have demonstrated that neither menthol or Vick’s produce an actual increase in airflow.

 

As an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor, to combat nasal congestion, I’d recommend starting with nasal irrigations (NeilMed or NetiPot, or I think there are now generic versions available). Additionally, topical nasal steroid sprays, such as Flonase (generic is fluticasone) are a good place to start. Nasal sprays like Afrin (oxymetazoline) work well to decongest the nose nearly immediately, but if used more than a couple days can cause a rebound congestion resulting in a cycle of “addiction” to the spray to keep the inside of the nose from swelling. (There are some newer data out suggestion if Afrin and Flonase are used in combination the rebound congestion can be avoided, but I haven’t seen enough of it personally to feel confident in recommending).

[VolFan]

Pft…^^ he’s never put it on his feet…??

[Darth-Baiter]

I was prescribed floconase when I got hooked on OTC nasal spray. Took a week to go back. I never touch the regular stuff anymore. 

[gim]

6 hours ago, TOXIC said:

In kind of an odd twist of fate, I had a friend who got addicted to those nasal inhalers that look like a tube of chapstick.  He finally had to get some that were just saline filled because he was killing his nasal passages, took him a long time to shake that habit.  

It says right on the label not to exceed 3 days use. Beyond that they will do more damage than good.

[Dirtyeggroll]

2 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

I was prescribed floconase when I got hooked on OTC nasal spray. Took a week to go back. I never touch the regular stuff anymore. 

There are lots of different OTC “nasal sprays”.

 

There are 3 generally categories:

 

•topical decongestants - oxymetazoline and neosynephrine

•topical steroids - fluticasone, mometasone, beclamethasone, flunisalide, tramcinilone and budesonide

•saline sprays - there are a variety of salt water sprays available, but all are essentially the same

I suspect what you got hooked on was one within the topical decongestant category.

[N Florida Mike]

I’ve used it all my life when I have had bad head colds. I stick a finger in the jar for a small glob and stick it just inside my nose.

Has always worked great for me to clear up the congestion. 

[Jar11591]

16 hours ago, N Florida Mike said:

I’ve used it all my life when I have had bad head colds. I stick a finger in the jar for a small glob and stick it just inside my nose.

Has always worked great for me to clear up the congestion. 

I do almost the same. A little smear on the mustache and it clears me right up. 

[Koz]

I've heard that Vick's Vapor Rub cures cancer but Big Pharma doesn't want you to know that ?

 

On a more serious note, my gag reflex is pretty string when it comes to certain smells. So, as you would imagine, when my son was an infant changing his diaper was quite a challenge for me.

 

To combat that I would put some Vick's Vapor Rub under my nose then tie a t-shirt or bandana over that to reduce the powerful fumes emanating from his diaper.

[Columbia Craw]

On 1/22/2023 at 5:50 PM, Dirtyeggroll said:

The menthol in Vick’s stimulates the TRPM8 receptor lining the nasal and lower airway mucosa. This in turn produces a sensation of cool. Air moving through the airway is also cool relative to stagnant humidified air, and thus the menthol simulates the sensation of increased airflow. Fluid dynamics studies of the airways, however, have demonstrated that neither menthol or Vick’s produce an actual increase in airflow.

 

As an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor, to combat nasal congestion, I’d recommend starting with nasal irrigations (NeilMed or NetiPot, or I think there are now generic versions available). Additionally, topical nasal steroid sprays, such as Flonase (generic is fluticasone) are a good place to start. Nasal sprays like Afrin (oxymetazoline) work well to decongest the nose nearly immediately, but if used more than a couple days can cause a rebound congestion resulting in a cycle of “addiction” to the spray to keep the inside of the nose from swelling. (There are some newer data out suggestion if Afrin and Flonase are used in combination the rebound congestion can be avoided, but I haven’t seen enough of it personally to feel confident in recommending).

If my nasal polyps ever return I’ll know who to call.

If you ever attend an autopsy, you will want this with you. Same for dead whales washed up on the beach.  The soothing menthol vapors open up airways for immediate relief so can get a good nights sleep or place a small amount on yours jigs and plastics so you won’t be interrupted by untimely strikes by overly aggressive bass.

[Columbia Craw]