Just thought of sharing this information with any parents who regularly slather Vicks VapoRub on their children and even babies. After all, this is what our older generation did to us, right?
Early this year, there was a report in CHEST Journal, January 2009 issue that indicates Vicks VapoRub may stimulate mucus production and airway inflammation, causing serious negative effects on infants and young children. The study was conducted after a few cases of children being brought to ER after their parents / grandparents applied Vicks VapoRub on their nose.
The ingredients in Vicks can be irritants which cause the body to produce more mucus in order to protect the airway. In children, whose airways are much more narrower than adults, any increase in mucus or swelling can narrow them severely and could lead to severe respiratory distress.
If you read the label on Vicks VapoRub, it clearly indicated not to be used for child below 2! For older children or even adults, you should never apply the Vicks VapoRub directly in the nose or under the nose because of the potential danger above.
If your little one is really suffering from cold and blocked nose, maybe you could try humidifier or saline nasal spray or even sitting in the bathroom with running hot shower! The mist from the hot shower would help to clear the congestion.
Pass this message around to your hubby, wife, grandparent, nanny or any caretakers. I think better to take precaution before anything untoward happen to our loved one.
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2 comments:
yes, i think there is one content in there which is not suitable for babies. but i think in overseas there are these rubs specially for babies.
Yes, I bought another type of vapor rub for baby from Singapore but still it is recommended for baby above 6 mths.
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