Vicks Vapo Rub can harm children under 2

[Close2Me]

passing along: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsO...50C14Z20090113

[Keria]

It does have a warning on it not to use on children under 2.

[heidirk]

Vivks makes a Baby Rub that's much gentler. It's quite nice, actually, but I onlyuse a tiny tiny bit.

[soccermama]

Originally Posted by heidirk

Vivks makes a Baby Rub that's much gentler. It's quite nice, actually, but I onlyuse a tiny tiny bit.

I've used it on DS when he was right around 2, maybe a month or two younger. It only takes a dime size to do the trick.

[just_lily]

I use the Baby Rub as well. It is better than giving them meds for a cold, imho.

[Learning_Mum]

I use the Baby Rub as well. I actually use it for me too because it's much gentler. Vicks can *burn* your nose! It hurts!

[Aleo]

Originally Posted by just_lily

I use the Baby Rub as well. It is better than giving them meds for a cold, imho.

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[Kidzaplenty]

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[caitryn]

It's going to be a while before I use anything like that with DS. I'm allergic to it, and I'm not overly eager to find out if he is, too. When it touches my skin, it feels like someone just set me on fire.

Of course, it's good when put in a poultice so that I only get the fumes and not the physical medicine.

[SweetPotato]

We used the baby rub a few times when dd was little- but I did notice that, even with only a tiny amount, she ended up with large patches of very dry skin from it.

[Subhuti]

The Vapo cream has been helpful with my older DD when she was three and now when she was four. I found that if I applied it directly to her skin she got a real rash (we've got sensitive skin). But I put it on her clothes, on her chest, and it's better than giving an internal cold med when she's coughing a lot.

Another option: put it on something close to but not on the child. For example, put a some on a peice of cloth (like a receiving blanket) near the child, hang it where they are not going to reach it.

That said< i just wouldn't use something like this at all for someone under two . Intuitively, all those strong scents are just too much when they are little like that.

liz

[zulupetalz]

I didn't know they made a "baby" formulation. I haven't tried either, but I'll have to check it out.

[Brisen]

I like Aleva Naturals Breathe Easy cream. It says it is safe for kids 3 months and up.

[pandora665]

We've used the baby formulation on the soles of DD's feet under socks. It's a wives tale for the adult formulation, but it seemed to help overnight coughing a ton. Works great when she wouldn't take my homemade 1/2 lemon juice, 1/2 honey cough syrup or even straight honey during her last cold. What kid doesn't like honey?

[tanyam926]

pandora, I also use it on the feet for coughs. I heard this, tried it and was amazed at how well it worked. I have used it for myself even when heavy duty cough meds didnt work.

I use Mentholatum brand which is slightly less harsh. I haven't ever used it on my kiddos under 2 and I never put it under their noses. Even if I tried they would freak out bc of the way it feels.

I use it under my nose and think it really helps a lot when I am sick though.

[SquishyBuggles]

I also use the baby rub, even on my 4 year old.

The Vicks on feet for coughs is AMAZING!

[GISDiva]

Does anyone know if something like a Whole Foods sells something similar? (Sorry if a bit off-topic)

[Attached Mama]

Badger Balm's winter care is similiar to Vicks but not so strongly scented. There is also another brand more natural brand I've tried but can't remember what it's called.

[limette]

I heard about this before, maybe 5 years ago. When I read about it then it was in reference to the eucalyptus in the Vicks.

[ashleyhaugh]

i think it also says not to use it directly under the nose somewhere on the package. i use it on ds sometimes, but on his chest, not under his nose, although thats how my mom did it for us, lol. i'll have to try it on his feet next time, ive heard that it works, but always forget to try it.

theres an old lady we know, shes 90 at least, who grew up in the hills of arkansas, and she puts crushed garlic in her shoe when shes got a cold. it works for her, but ive never tried it, lol