Study shows vapor rub for colds works

HERSHEY, Pa., Nov. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers find grandma was right -- vapor rub does help a child with a cold.

Researchers at Pennsylvania State College of Medicine say applying a vapor rub -- which contains menthol, camphor and eucalyptus oils -- is effective for treating children with night-time cough and congestion, and improves sleep for children with cold symptoms.

"Vapor rubs have been used for generations, but this study demonstrates that this therapy is indeed effective," Dr. Ian Paul says in a statement.

The randomized, partially double-blinded study, published in the journal Pediatrics, found parents noted significantly greater relief -- determined by cough frequency, cough severity, congestion and the child's ability to sleep -- with vapor rub versus a placebo -- petroleum jelly -- or no treatment. Parents also rated their own sleep as most improved in the vapor rub group.

Parents of children who received the vapor rub or petroleum jelly were blinded to what their children was being treated. The parents were instructed to apply vapor rub between their own upper lip and nose before opening their child's treatment so they could not detect the smell.

Paul and colleagues recruited 138 children ages 2-11 for the study. Parents assessed the child's symptoms the night before enrollment in the study and after being randomly assigned to a treatment group.

An unrestricted research grant from Procter and Gamble funded this study.