What Is Victos? A Look at the Vicks Brand
Discover the facts behind the trusted Vicks brand. This guide explores its product formulations, correct usage, and essential safety information.
Online searches for “Victos” often lead to information about a long-standing brand named Vicks. For more than a century, Vicks has been a familiar name in households, offering over-the-counter products aimed at relieving symptoms of the common cold and flu. Its reputation is built on generations of use for managing seasonal ailments.
The brand’s most recognizable product is Vicks VapoRub, a topical ointment that has maintained its place in medicine cabinets for decades. This flagship product is often what comes to mind when people think of the Vicks brand. Its distinct aroma and warming sensation have become synonymous with comfort during times of mild illness.
Understanding Vicks VapoRub
The formulation of Vicks VapoRub is centered around three active ingredients: camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus oil. Each component is included for a specific purpose related to alleviating cold symptoms. The product label identifies camphor at a concentration of 4.8%, menthol at 2.6%, and eucalyptus oil at 1.2%. These ingredients are suspended in a petrolatum base.
Camphor and menthol are classified as topical analgesics, meaning they provide pain relief when applied to the skin, and also act as cough suppressants. Eucalyptus oil is listed solely for its cough suppressant qualities. When applied, these medicated vapors are released and can be inhaled.
The feeling of relief from congestion that users report is not from the physical clearing of nasal passages, but from a sensory illusion. The strong menthol and camphor vapors create a cooling sensation in the nose, which triggers brain receptors to feel as though breathing is more open. This sensation, coupled with the cough-suppressing action, contributes to the product’s intended effect of providing temporary comfort.
Correct Usage and Application
Vicks VapoRub is for external use only. The manufacturer directs users to apply a thick layer of the ointment onto the chest and throat area to temporarily relieve coughs. For minor muscle and joint pain, it can be applied to the affected area up to four times daily. After application for a cough, clothing should be kept loose to allow the vapors to be inhaled.
There are several actions to avoid when using this product. It should never be ingested, as some ingredients are toxic if swallowed. The ointment should not be applied in or under the nostrils, near the mouth, or on broken or damaged skin. Application in the nostrils can be harmful, especially for young children.
Do not heat Vicks VapoRub in a microwave or add it to hot water, as doing so can cause the product to splatter and lead to serious burns. The product is flammable, so it should not be used near an open flame.
The Broader Vicks Product Family
Beyond its flagship VapoRub, the Vicks brand encompasses a range of products designed to address various cold and flu symptoms. This family extends into oral medications, with the most well-known being the DayQuil and NyQuil lines. These products are formulated to tackle symptoms like fever, cough, and congestion, with non-drowsy options for daytime use and nighttime formulas to aid with rest.
The brand also offers a line of devices aimed at easing respiratory discomfort. Vicks produces humidifiers and warm steam vaporizers that add moisture to the air, which can help soothe nasal and throat passages. To complement these devices, the company created VapoPads. These are scented pads that can be inserted into the humidifiers and vaporizers to release soothing vapors into the room.
Important Safety Information
A safety consideration for Vicks VapoRub involves its use with children. The product is not for use on any child under two years of age. This is because the ingredients can act as irritants, and may stimulate mucus production and inflammation in the small airways of infants, potentially leading to respiratory distress. Swallowing even small amounts of camphor can be highly toxic for young children.
For infants older than three months and children under two, the company offers Vicks BabyRub. This alternative formulation is non-medicated and does not contain camphor, menthol, or eucalyptus oil. Instead, it contains fragrances like eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender in a petrolatum base, designed to provide a soothing experience without the risks of the standard VapoRub.
A common but unproven practice is applying Vicks VapoRub to the soles of the feet to relieve a cough. There is no scientific evidence to support this method’s effectiveness. The product’s intended benefit comes from inhaling the medicated vapors close to the airways, which is not achieved when applied to the feet. Users may also experience mild skin irritation or redness at the application site.