Wick VapoRub

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Wick VapoRub is a cold ointment. It is rubbed or inhaled on the patient's chest. The essential oils contained in it relieve the symptoms and clear the airways. Here you will find all the important information about the application, dosage and effect of the wick ointment.

This active ingredient is in Wick VapoRub

The effective substances in the wick ointment include camphor, eucalyptus oil, levomenthol and turpentine oil. These active ingredients have a positive effect on bronchial secretion and loosen stuck mucus in the airways. Since essential oils evaporate even at room temperature, they are rubbed on the chest and inhaled. But they are also suitable for inhalation.

When is Wick VapoRub used?

The wick ointment is suitable for use in children from two years of age and adults for the treatment of cold symptoms of the respiratory tract.

Typical areas of application for Wick VapoRub are:

cough
sniffles
Mucilage
hoarseness

What are the side effects of Wick VapoRub?

Possible side effects of Wick VapoRub are largely harmless.

Contact reactions of the skin when rubbing in the mucous membranes or when inhaling can rarely occur. Swelling of the tongue and lips or shortness of breath are very rare. In these cases, a doctor should be consulted immediately, who will initiate further measures.

You should keep this in mind when using Wick VapoRub

The ointment must not be used in the case of known allergies to the ingredients of Wick VapoRub. This also applies to open wounds, inflammations or burns of the skin as well as to asthma and other chronic diseases of the respiratory tract. In the case of acute pneumonia and in children under six years of age, Wick VapoRub must not be inhaled.

Wick VapoRub is a drug with few interactions. However, some medicines used at the same time may lose their effectiveness. The contained eucalyptus oil can induce enzyme systems in the liver, whereby other drugs are weakened in their effectiveness.

Wick VapoRub: Children, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Since essential oils do not always work consistently and the larynx muscles may contract spasmodically (laryngospasm), use in children is only recommended from the age of two.

The effect of Wick VapoRub in pregnant women has not been adequately studied, which is why the cold ointment should only be used after a careful risk-benefit assessment by a doctor.

In breastfeeding mothers, the nipples must not come into contact with the ointment. Mothers should wash their breasts thoroughly before breastfeeding so that the child's face and eyes do not come into contact with the ointment. A transfer of the ingredients through breast milk is not to be expected.

dosage

For children from two years of age, a teaspoon-sized amount of the ointment is rubbed onto the child's chest two to four times a day. The ointment must not get into the face or eyes.

Children aged six to twelve should use Wick VapoRub (about one to two teaspoons) two to four times a day.

Adults can rub an amount the size of two to three teaspoons onto the chest two to four times a day. If possible, the chest should remain free after rubbing so that the evaporating essential oils can be inhaled.

For inhalation, one to two teaspoon-sized amounts are dissolved in one liter of hot water for children from the age of six and adults and inhaled deeply for 10 to 15 minutes. A bowl with a large surface area is suitable. Eyes should be closed during inhalation. Use in children should be supervised by an adult.