4 Benefits of Putting Vick Vaporub on Your Feet Before Bed

4 commonly claimed “benefits” — and what the evidence says

1. Cough relief
   Vicks VapoRub is intended for use on the chest and throat to temporarily relieve cough associated with the common cold. There isn’t good evidence that applying it to the feet provides the same effect.

2. A cooling or soothing sensation
   Menthol and camphor can create a cooling/warming sensation on the skin. Some people may simply find this relaxing at bedtime.

3. Moisturizing dry feet
   The ointment contains petrolatum and other ingredients that can help reduce moisture loss from dry skin. This is a more plausible benefit than claims about treating cough through the feet.

4. Helping with toenail fungus
   There have been small studies and anecdotal reports suggesting VapoRub may have antifungal activity against some organisms. However, it isn’t an established first-line treatment for toenail fungus, and evidence for its effectiveness is limited.

What it does not reliably do

There is no good scientific evidence that putting VapoRub on your feet “pulls out toxins,” cures a cold through the soles, or provides special respiratory benefits simply because it’s applied before bed.

Also, don’t apply it to broken, irritated, or damaged skin, and keep it away from the eyes and mouth. Follow the product label, particularly because VapoRub contains camphor.