Understanding the Tradition: Why do people put Vix vapor rub on their feet?

September 30, 2025 •

4 min read

For generations, the practice of putting Vicks VapoRub on their feet to soothe a cough has been a popular home remedy. While the manufacturer recommends application to the chest, many people swear by this unconventional method for various ailments, including colds and foot problems.

Quick Summary

A popular home remedy involves applying Vicks VapoRub to the feet, often with socks, primarily for perceived cold and cough relief. Scientific evidence, however, supports its use for foot ailments like fungus and dry skin rather than for respiratory symptoms.

Key Points

Cough and Cold Relief is a Myth: There is no scientific evidence that applying Vicks VapoRub to the feet relieves cold symptoms; the product works by inhaling vapors, not through foot application.
Moisturizes Dry Heels: The petroleum jelly base is an excellent occlusive, making Vicks effective for softening and hydrating dry or cracked heels.
Treats Toenail Fungus: The antifungal properties of eucalyptus oil and camphor offer a potential, though unproven, treatment for toenail fungus with consistent use.
Eases Minor Foot Pain: As a topical analgesic, the menthol and camphor can provide a cooling sensation to distract from and relieve minor muscle and joint aches in the feet.
Requires Safe Handling: Due to the toxic nature of camphor, Vicks should never be ingested, applied to broken skin, or used on children under two.

The Myth of Vicks on Feet for Colds

One of the most persistent home remedy myths is that rubbing Vicks VapoRub on the feet can relieve a cough or other cold symptoms. This belief is not supported by scientific evidence and is often linked to the principles of reflexology, a practice based on the idea that stimulating certain points on the feet can affect other parts of the body. While applying Vicks to the feet may provide a cooling sensation, the key to its respiratory benefits is inhalation. The therapeutic vapors—containing camphor, eucalyptus, and menthol—must be breathed in to effectively relieve congestion and act as a cough suppressant. Placing the rub on the feet, especially covered by socks, makes it highly unlikely that enough vapor will reach the nasal passages to make a difference. A 2010 study published in Pediatrics even showed that the rub's effect on cough and cold symptoms was most pronounced when applied to the chest, not the feet, affirming the importance of vapor inhalation.

Scientifically Supported Uses of Vicks VapoRub on Feet

Despite its ineffectiveness for respiratory symptoms when applied to the feet, Vicks VapoRub does have other legitimate uses for foot ailments that are supported by some evidence. These are considered "off-label" uses, meaning they are not the primary purpose for which the product was created, but they leverage the ingredients' known properties.

Treating Toenail Fungus

Some research has indicated that Vicks VapoRub may be useful in treating toenail fungus (onychomycosis). The ingredients eucalyptus oil and camphor have antifungal properties that may help combat the fungus. A small 2015 study, for instance, showed positive results in some participants with nail fungus after consistent, long-term use. It is important to note that this is not a scientifically proven cure and results may vary.

Relieving Dry and Cracked Heels

For individuals with extremely dry or cracked heels, the application of Vicks VapoRub can be an effective moisturizing treatment. The product's base is petroleum jelly, which is a powerful occlusive agent that locks in moisture. By massaging the rub into the feet and then covering them with socks, the petroleum jelly can deeply hydrate the skin overnight, leading to softer, smoother feet.

Easing Minor Foot Pain

Camphor and menthol in Vicks are known topical analgesics, meaning they provide a localized pain-relieving effect. When rubbed into the feet, they create a cooling sensation that can desensitize nerve endings and help relieve minor muscle or joint soreness. Some evidence suggests it may even help with peripheral neuropathy, which is nerve pain in the feet.

The Official and Intended Use of Vicks VapoRub

For effective relief from respiratory symptoms like cough and congestion, the manufacturer provides clear instructions for use. It should be applied to the chest and throat area, not the feet. When applied to the chest, the body heat helps to release the medicinal vapors, which are then inhaled to produce a cough-suppressant effect and the sensation of clearer breathing. This is the recommended and clinically effective method for using the product for colds.

Safety Precautions for Using Vicks VapoRub

While Vicks VapoRub is an over-the-counter product, it must be used with caution, especially given its potent ingredients like camphor.

Always follow these safety guidelines:

Never ingest it: The camphor in Vicks is highly toxic if swallowed, especially for children. Keep it away from infants and out of reach of young children.
Avoid broken or damaged skin: Camphor can be absorbed more easily through broken skin, which can increase the risk of toxicity.
Do not use on children under two: Using Vicks on infants and toddlers under two is not recommended and can be dangerous due to the risk of camphor toxicity.
Never heat the product: Heating Vicks VapoRub in a microwave or adding it to hot water can cause serious burns from splattering.
Keep away from mucous membranes: Avoid applying near the eyes, inside the nose, or in the mouth.
Store safely: Due to the risk of accidental ingestion, store the product in a secure location.

Application Methods: Feet vs. Chest


Feature	Application on Feet	Application on Chest/Throat
Intended Use	Off-label home remedy	Primary manufacturer-recommended method
Primary Benefit	Moisturizing, antifungal, topical pain relief	Cough suppression, relief from congestion via vapor inhalation
Scientific Evidence	Some evidence for skin and fungus issues; none for cold relief	Backed by studies for temporary cough and congestion relief
Mechanism of Action	Localized skin treatment and moisture barrier	Release of medicated vapors for inhalation
Best For	Dry, cracked heels; toenail fungus; mild foot pain	Cold symptoms (cough, stuffy nose)

Conclusion

The long-standing tradition of putting Vicks VapoRub on feet for cold and cough relief is, in essence, a placebo effect driven by belief and anecdotal evidence. However, this doesn't mean the practice is entirely without benefit. The product's ingredients and petroleum jelly base have proven, if unconventional, value for treating specific foot conditions like dry skin, toenail fungus, and minor aches. For its intended use as a respiratory aid, applying Vicks VapoRub to the chest and throat remains the most effective method, as the body's heat helps release the therapeutic vapors. For any health concerns, including persistent coughs or severe foot issues, consulting a healthcare professional is always the best course of action.

For further information on safe product usage, consult the official Vicks VapoRub website: Vicks Official Site.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, scientific evidence does not support the idea that applying Vicks VapoRub to the feet helps relieve cold symptoms like a cough. The product's respiratory benefits come from inhaling the medicated vapors, which are not effectively absorbed or released from the feet, especially when covered with socks.

Some evidence suggests off-label uses for foot ailments, including moisturizing dry and cracked heels due to its petroleum jelly base, treating toenail fungus with its antifungal ingredients, and easing minor muscle pain through its topical analgesic properties.

The camphor and eucalyptus oil in Vicks VapoRub have antifungal properties that may help combat toenail fungus. Some small studies and anecdotal reports suggest it can be effective, but consistent application over a long period is often required.

Yes, it is generally safe for adults when applied to healthy, unbroken skin on the feet. However, it should never be used on broken or irritated skin, as camphor can be absorbed into the body.

For cough relief, the manufacturer recommends applying Vicks VapoRub to the chest and throat. The body heat helps release the medicinal vapors, which are then inhaled to provide relief.

The belief stems from popular folklore and home remedy traditions, possibly linked to reflexology, which theorizes that applying pressure or substances to certain points on the feet can affect distant parts of the body. There is no modern scientific backing for this specific application.

Risks include camphor toxicity if ingested, especially by young children, chemical burns if the product is heated, and irritation if applied to broken skin or sensitive areas like mucous membranes.