 |
|
|
|
November 8th, 2010
12:01 AM ET
Topical rub eases kids' cold symptoms, study saysAlthough Vicks VapoRub is often used to fight colds and congestion, there has never been proof of how well it works. Now, new research reported in the journal Pediatrics finds, the combination of camphor, menthol and eucalyptus oils actually does ease cold symptoms and help children suffering from upper-respiratory infections sleep. In the study,  funded by an unrestricted research grant from Procter & Gamble, makers of Vicks, researchers took 138 children between the ages of 2 and 11, with symptoms like cough, congestion, runny nose and restless sleep that lasted seven days or more. Only children with moderate cough and severe stuffy nose were eligible, and those were divided into three groups. Some were treated with Vicks, some with a placebo consisting of petroleum jelly and others got no treatment at all. Parents were surveyed the day before treatment about the severity of their child's symptoms. That night, 30 minutes before bedtime, Vicks or petroleum jelly was rubbed onto the child's chest and neck. The next day parents were questioned about their child's symptoms overnight. Children in all three groups got better, but those treated with the VapoRub saw the greatest improvement, and parents in this group also had improved sleep, the study found. "The American Academy of Pediatrics says the currently available oral cough and cold medications are not effective for children and have the potential for side effects, " said Dr. Ian Paul, principal investigator and associate professor of pediatrics and public health sciences, Penn State College of Medicine. "This was based in part on some of the studies that we have conducted at Penn State. The current study shows that Vaporub is more effective than placebo." Paul is on Procter & Gamble's advisory board but holds no stock in the company and will not profit financially. Where's the line between research and marketing? Twenty of the 44 children in the vapor rub group suffered mild side effects including  skin irritation and burning sensation of the eyes and nose. There were no side effects in the two other groups. Dr. Jennifer Shu, a practicing pediatrician and CNNHealth's Living Well expert, uses Vicks for her family. "I have found that when used properly it can be a good option for parents who want to relieve some cold symptoms in their children. Parents get frustrated with the FDA recommendations not to use cold medicines in kids under the age of 4 because they are left with few options. Vicks is used topically on the skin, it's not ingested and is not included in these FDA guidelines." Shu says when used properly, Vicks appears to be safe. But as with any product, parents need to read the instructions carefully and keep medicines out of the reach of children. Vicks VapoRub is not recommend for children under the age of 2.
« Previous entryDrowsy drivers threaten road safety
|
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
 |
|
|
|
prescription drugs defined [url=https://pharmacyhrn.com/ ]oxymorphone online pharmacy[/url] xanax canadian pharmacy
cvs cialis coupon [url=https://rcialisgl.com/ ]cialis online pharmacy[/url] no rx cialis
cialis pay pal [url=https://cialisjla.com/ ]dapoxetine and cialis[/url] cheap cialis 20 mg
hydrochloquin quinine hydroxy chloroquine
tadalafil medication tadalafil from india reviews cialis tadalafil
what is chloroquine plaquenil brand name chloroquine phosphate tablet
hydroxychloroquine drug quineprox kratom chloroquine hydroxychloroquine 200 mg twice a day
voltaren gel canada pharmacy [url=https://pharmacyken.com/ ]canadian pharmacy largo[/url] canadian pharmacy coupon code 2017
walmart pharmacy online refill [url=https://cjepharmacy.com/ ]canada pharmacy delivery[/url] tadalafil online pharmacy
cross border pharmacy canada [url=https://pharmacyhrn.com/ ]online pharmacy mexico[/url] canadian pharmacies that sell and ship insulin to usa
london drugs ipads canada [url=https://cjepharmacy.com/ ]pharmacy online 365 review[/url] reliable rx pharmacy hcg
order cialis online no prescription reviews [url=https://ckacialis.com/ ]does generic cialis work?[/url] cialis online pharmacy australian
cialis uk [url=https://ckacialis.com/ ]cialis cipra[/url] cialis using paypal
is expired cialis still effective [url=https://krocialis.com/ ]how does cialis help bph[/url] trusted online store to buy cialis
canadian pharmacy cialis brand [url=https://cialishav.com/ ]cialis not working first time[/url] cialis hk
side effects cialis [url=https://rcialisgl.com/ ]cialis online with no prescription[/url] uses for cialis
kaboom cialis [url=https://krocialis.com/ ]cialis prices at walmart[/url] cialis reviews patients
online pharmacy pain meds [url=https://pharmacyken.com/ ]brazilian pharmacy online[/url] online pharmacy united states
cheap cialis no prescription [url=https://cialishav.com/ ]cialis better than viagra[/url] cialis extra dosage
buy cialis brand [url=https://cialisjla.com/ ]cialis netherlands[/url] free trial cialis
canadian pharmacy zephyrhills [url=https://pharmacyhrn.com/ ]canadian pharmacy symbicort[/url] weight loss canadian pharmacy
cialis shelf life [url=https://rcialisgl.com/ ]comparison of 10 mg cialis price[/url] generic cialis black 800 mg
sams club cialis [url=https://cialisjla.com/ ]cialis generic name[/url] cialis prices nz
hydroxychlor 200mg chloroquine malaria prophylaxis drugs.com hydroxychloroquine
erectile enhancer https://pharmaceptica.com/
hydroxychloroquine 200 mg high https://www.pharmaceptica.com/
sildenafil 220 https://pharmaceptica.com/
sildenafil tablet usa https://pharmaceptica.com/
chloroquine tablet https://www.pharmaceptica.com/