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Vicks VapoRub Dangerous for Babies: Study

Despite wide use, may restrict breathing in children under 2

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 13, 2009 1:33 PM CST

(Newser) – Vicks VapoRub is dangerous for children younger than 2, potentially causing breathing problems and mucus buildup, a new study warns. The popular cream’s label already warns against using it on kids that young, but many parents do it anyway, researchers say, because that’s what their parents did. “People don’t read the warnings on prescription medications,” said the lead author, much less a salve “that has been around for 100 years.”

The study came to the Wake Forest University doctor when an 18-month-old baby was brought to the emergency room with a suddenly severe respiratory problem. The child’s grandparents soon revealed they’d rubbed Vicks under her nose—a trend the study found increased among babies brought to the emergency room.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (2)]

This image, taken from the Vicks website, shows Vicks VapoRub, a cream that may not be safe to use on infants according to a new study.

Rubbing your baby with VapoRub might not be the best idea, a new study suggests. (Shutterstock)

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The bottom line is, none of them have been proven by research to work. There are no miracle cures for a respiratory virus infection. - Dr. Daniel Craven, pediatric pulmonologist at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, on Vicks and other decongestants for infants

The safety and efficacy of the product has been determined by multiple clinical trials with over 1,000 children tested. Our results are inconsistent with the claims of this study. - David Bernens, spokesman for Procter & Gamble

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Vicks VapoRub Dangerous for Babies: Study