Vicks VapoRub is well known as an over-the-counter (OTC) remedy used to treat cold symptoms like coughing and a stuffy nose. It can also be used to relieve body aches. However, it’s also been linked to lung disease. While Vicks VapoRub has not been found to cause lung cancer, it has been associated with other lung conditions and should be used carefully, especially if you are living with lung cancer.

What Exactly Is Vicks VapoRub?

Vicks VapoRub is a topical ointment that is rubbed into the skin. It has three active ingredients: menthol, eucalyptus oil, and camphor. Inactive ingredients include cedarleaf oil, nutmeg oil, thymol, special petrolatum, and turpentine oil. Vicks VapoRub, like other vapor rubs, has a strong aroma that causes a cooling effect.

Researchers don’t fully understand how Vicks Vaporub works. It’s thought that it may temporarily block some receptors in cells that are linked to coughing caused by the common cold and pain. Menthol, one of the ingredients in Vicks VapoRub, has been used since ancient times to relieve pain due to the cooling sensation it produces.

Vicks VapoRub may give the sensation of breathing easier, but it doesn’t actually clear nasal congestion or open sinuses.

Safety Concerns With Vicks VapoRub

When used for treating cold symptoms, Vicks VapoRub is only safe if used externally. It should be applied to healthy skin on the throat and chest. If used for muscle aches, it can be rubbed into affected areas on healthy skin.

One of the main ingredients in Vicks VapoRub is camphor, which can be unsafe when used improperly. Camphor can be potentially poisonous in young children if swallowed, and it should never be consumed orally by anyone. It can also be absorbed through mucous membranes in the nose and mouth. Vicks VapoRub should never be used in the nostrils. It can also injure the eyes and should not be used anywhere near them.

Vicks VapoRub should never be used on broken or injured skin, and it should never be used on small children under two years old. Other similar products such as Bengay and Campho-Phenique also contain camphor and should be used with the same precautions.

Among other precautions, Vicks VapoRub should not be added to hot water or heated in any way because it may cause serious chemical and thermal (heat) burns. It also shouldn’t be used with tight bandages.

OTC medications such as Vicks VapoRub are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but the regulatory process and standards differ from those for prescription medications.

Side Effects of Vicks VapoRub

Common side effects of Vicks VapoRub on the skin include discoloration and irritation. An allergic reaction with hives or rashes is rarer and should be reported to your doctor.

Lung Disease and Vicks VapoRub

Vicks VapoRub has been linked to two types of lung disease — lipoid pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis. With both of these conditions, lung disease developed after inhaling Vicks VapoRub in ways that are not recommended.

Lipoid Pneumonia

Lipoid pneumonia — also known as exogenous lipoid pneumonia — is a lung disease that has been associated with inhalation of fatty or oil-based substances, which include animal, vegetable, and mineral oils. Although generally considered rare, lipoid pneumonia cases have been rising due to substances found in vaping chemicals. Lipoid pneumonia has also been linked to long-term inhalation of oily ointments such Vicks VapoRub and petroleum jelly (Vaseline), particularly when applied to the nostrils or under the nose.

Vicks VapoRub contains petrolatum, a petroleum-based mineral oil. When inhaled over long periods of time, petrolatum particles can lodge into lung tissue. The risk of developing lipid pneumonia is higher among children and older adults, whose lungs are more fragile.

Lipoid pneumonia can damage lung tissue. Symptoms include chest pain, cough, chills, and fever. The condition usually goes away when inhalation of the oily substance causing the condition is stopped, although lipoid pneumonia may still require treatment in some cases.

Interestingly, lipoid pneumonia can look like lung cancer on imaging scans, which may be a reason why Vicks VapoRub has been thought to cause lung cancer.

Pulmonary Fibrosis

In some cases, lipid pneumonia can progress to pulmonary fibrosis, which occurs when damaged or scarred lung tissue becomes stiff and worsens. Pulmonary fibrosis is a life-threatening condition that can severely impact lung function. There is no known cure for pulmonary fibrosis, but treatment can help improve symptoms and may slow the progression of the disease.

Alternatives to Vicks VapoRub

To avoid some of the risks associated with Vicks VapoRub and similar products used to treat a stuffy or runny nose, you can try:

• Decongestant oral medications, which are generally recommended for people 12 years and older
• Saline nose drops or rinses, including a neti pot, which can help thin and remove mucus
• A cool humidifier
• Drinking plenty of water

If you are living with lung cancer, be sure to talk to your oncologist and your oncology health care team about cold remedies that are appropriate for you. If you develop a fever with a cold or have signs of respiratory distress or the flu, be sure to contact your doctor. Having the flu with lung cancer can increase the risk of serious complications, so people with lung cancer are generally advised to have an annual flu vaccination.

Causes of Lung Cancer

Although the substances in Vicks VapoRub are not known to cause lung cancer, other substances have been linked to the disease. Substances that are known to increase the risk of lung cancer include:

• Tobacco smoke, both for those who smoke and those exposed to secondhand smoke
• Radon, a substance found in soil, rocks, and water that can collect in buildings and basements
• Air pollution
• Asbestos
• Some inhaled industrial or workplace chemicals, like coal dust and diesel exhaust
• Beta-carotene dietary supplements
• Radiation

Lung cancer develops when cells in the lungs mutate (change) due to genetic (inherited) factors, aging, or exposure to cancerous substances (carcinogens). Early signs and symptoms of lung cancer include shortness of breath, a persistent cough that may include coughing up blood, and a hoarse voice.

If you are living with lung cancer, it’s important to protect your lungs from further damage to help improve the effectiveness of treatment and healing.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyLungCancerTeam is the social network for people with lung cancer. On MyLungCancerTeam, more than 12,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with lung cancer.

Have you talked to your doctor about Vicks VapoRub and how to use it safely with lung cancer? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.