We all remember Vaporub being rubbed on our chests as kids to help us deal with awful colds. Vaporub is an item universally found at the back of medicine cabinets and drugstore shelves. It’s a mix of eucalyptus oil, menthol, and camphor that works great as a decongestant.
What most of us don’t know is that this little pot of wonder has so many different uses. Ones we often overlook. Check out this list and try these Vaporub hacks!
Soothe That Headache
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A favorite Vaporub hack is for when you have a headache. Try rubbing some onto your temples to relieve some of the pressure. This should provide some fast and effective pain relief. If you continue to be impeded by an annoying sinus headache, take deep breaths of Vaporub.
The menthol/eucalyptus/camphor ointment is a heady mix but it should help alleviate your pain. It’s a great alternative to medicine but if those headaches persist, go see a doctor.
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Lessen Stretchmarks
Everyone has stretch marks but they are unsightly regardless. They can be caused by pregnancy, weight loss or gain, or puberty and appear pink, brown, red, or silver. Apply a layer of Vaporub over the area and cover it with cling film or a tight pair of leggings to let the skin absorb it fully.
Use Vaporub as a moisturizer and anti-inflammatory solution to keep skin soft and supple. This will also help keep thicker stretch marks from standing out.
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A Secret Pet Training Tool
Vaporub can be used to potty train your pets. This can help stop that furry friend from marking their territory around your home and other places. Rub some Vaporub near the area your dog likes to mark and that should deter them doing so. Don’t let them eat it though since it is dangerous to animals.
The pungent smell makes them realize that this isn’t the spot to get wet. Also, be sure to take your four-legged friend out to give them ample time to do their business.
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Goodbye Dandruff
Dandruff is not a serious condition, but it can be embarrassing when you’re constantly brushing your shoulders and scratching your head. It is a kind of seborrheic dermatitis, so try Vaporub to help prevent your scalp from flaking.
We’re not saying this little tub is the cure though.
The eucalyptus in Vaporub can soothe an itchy and scaly scalp all while stopping the scales from flaking and falling. But do you really want to go out smelling like Vaporub?
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Eradicate Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus can take years to treat. It’s difficult when you want to get your feet out at the beach or when in the company of others. But a 2011 study that lasted 48 weeks found that rubbing Vaporub into the affected area at least once a day had “a positive clinical effect” on infected toes.
There’s no magic cure for onychomycosis but using a cheap means like Vaporub to try and eradicate it doesn’t seem like such a bad idea.
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Bring On the Tears
Vaporub is a great tool for a budding actor in a scene that requires shedding a few fake tears. Put a bit of Vaporub underneath your eyes, and let the tears flow. You could also impress friends at a party by crying on demand.
Just remember to wash your hands after so you don’t rub the stuff into your eyes. The pain would cause you to cry for real.
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Get Rid of Cracked Heels
Cracked heels aren’t a good look, especially when you want to hit the beach. Treat the hard, dry, and cracked skin on your heels by spreading a good amount of Vaporub before sleeping and putting socks on.
Wash the Vaporub off in the shower the next day.
Exfoliate the area daily with a pumice stone. That eliminates dead skin cells. Your heels will look softer, making you confident enough to wear sandals or flip-flops.
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Keep Breakouts at Bay
Spots and acne can be distressing and cause us to feel self-conscious but the good news is that Vaporub’s antibacterial properties can help combat the bacteria that causes those acne and spots. It can also reduce inflammation, which makes spots less noticeable.
Rub a little on the affected area at night but avoid areas where the skin is broken.
Your skin should feel and look less inflamed the next day with a softer-looking appearance.
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Soothe Earache
The common cold can lead to earache that’s painful and can be itchy and irritating. Put a small amount of Vaporub on a cotton ball and insert it into your ear for several hours a few times in a day.
Keep repeating until the pain subsides. It is actually the camphor that helps reduce the pain. But if you think you have an ear infection, you’ll need to treat it with antibiotic pills or drops.
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Relief From Piles
Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, can be embarrassing, painful, itchy, and very uncomfortable. Apply Vaporub to the area to reduce any swelling and even cool the spot. The only downside is that it may sting or burn a bit, so definitely proceed with caution here!
Be sure you use it externally, or you may find yourself squealing and running around in pain.
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Manage Bugs and Animals
Bugs during the summer are annoying and irritating, and they cause unsightly bites that itch and swell. Use Vaporub to scare those bugs away or to relieve itching if you’ve been bitten.
If you have pets, use it on your furniture, doors, or soft furnishings like curtains and cushions. It will deter your furry friends from scratching them.
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Heal Bruises
There are people who bruise like a peach or get some easily due to an unfortunate accident. We all know about the benefits of arnica cream but, Vaporub can also be used as a topical treatment.
Mix a little with salt and apply it to your bruise to help blood circulate faster and dissolve the bruise in a shorter time.
You can even rub some on the area around your cuts. Just avoid the open wound area or damaged skin.
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Ease Sunburn
There are benefits to the sun but it is important to protect ourselves against harmful UV rays. If you forgot to apply sunscreen or don’t have enough, Vaporub can step in and help.
The cooling sensation will give you some relief from the burning sensation. Apply to the affected area, and it should help the redness go away.
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A Recovery Aid
For people who love walking, running, or going to the gym and occasionally forget to warm up and down, muscle aches and pains are all too familiar and can take time to diminish. Use Vaporub to relieve some of these symptoms by gently massaging it into the affected areas.
Wrap it in a dry, warm towel for a while until your skin absorbs the Vaporub and wait for the soreness to ease off.
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Get Smooth Lips
Cold and dry weather causes the lips to peel or become chapped and cracked. This can also happen after eating spicy food or licking or even biting your lips too much. Vaporub can soothe chafed lips and keep them soft and moisturized.
Apply until your lips are no longer chapped. But consult your physician before doing this, as ingesting Vaporub can be dangerous.
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Makeup Remover
If you’re out of eye makeup remover and soap and water just won’t cut it, use a tiny amount of Vaporub on a cotton wool ball or pad. Wipe the top of your eyelids and brows but avoid other area of your eyes, including lashes, to avoid irritating your eyes.
Remember to wash your skin after or rinse with saline solution. You might get it in your eyes or have it transfer onto your eye mask when you’re sleeping.
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An Alternative Eczema and Psoriasis Treatment
It’s hard to tell the difference between eczema and psoriasis since they’re different from each other. Psoriasis is when your immune system causes skin cells to grow faster than usual. Dead skin cells accumulate on the skin surface instead of falling off.
The causes of eczema are unknown, but both can cause irritated, itchy, dry, flushed skin.
It’s not a cure for either but Vaporub can reduce the skin’s inflammation and itchiness while making it feel nice and cool at the same time.
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Heal Splinters
A painful splinter in your foot, finger, or palm can be pulled out using a sterilized needle and a pair of tweezers. Once you’ve cleaned the area, apply a tiny amount of Vaporub to it.
That will help relieve any stinging all while also healing your skin faster than it would otherwise. It will sting at first, but that will fade.
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One for the Horse-Lovers
Those who love horses and ride regularly are familiar with this Vaporub hack. But, for those who do not know, if you want to keep your horse focused, especially during mating season, keep Vaporub where you keep your horse.
Before heading out for a ride, rub a little Vaporub under the horse’s nose, but avoid the nostrils, to stop it from being distracted by females.
Don’t go too close to the horse’s nostrils, as Vaporub can be poisonous to them.
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Say Goodbye to Verrucas
There have been reports of people using Vaporub to get rid of their verrucas, and in addition, there are lots of other suggested remedies, including apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil.
Take an open-minded approach here and see if this actually works or not. Rub some Vaporub on your verruca, wrap it in a bandage then wait and see.
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Use As a Moisturizer
If you are experiencing dry and cracked skin, apply Vaporub to the affected area like dry elbows, knees, or even your face, as long as you avoid the eye area. You don’t even need to apply it liberally.
Just administer a small amount to the affected area and rub it in so it cools your skin if the dryness is causing irritation or inflammation.
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Clean Away Stubborn Lipstick
How do you remove lipstick without causing the skin on your lips to get sore? Consider a tiny amount of Vaporub instead of makeup remover, and see how that works for you.
Just apply it to your lips, and leave it for five minutes then wipe off with a cotton wool pad or ball. This should leave your lips soft and moisturized.
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Ease Tennis Elbow
Vaporub is not the cure for this condition but it can offer some light relief. This is most effective when avoiding the activity that triggers your tennis elbow. Abstain from tennis at least until the pain goes away.
Gently massage some Vaporub onto your elbow and the surrounding area and let the camphor and menthol soothe your discomfort.
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Ease That Night Time Cough
Having a cold that keeps you awake at night prevents you from getting a good night’s rest. Try to apply a generous amount of Vaporub on your feet at bedtime.
Put socks on your feet to prevent staining your bedding. Hopefully, you’ll have a cough-free night’s sleep and wake up feeling a lot better.
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Humidify The Air
Humidifiers can be effective when placed in rooms where someone has the flu and has difficulty breathing. These things work wonders for alleviating dryness in the throat, lips, and skin.
Some humidifiers come with an aromatherapy compartment and can be used with Vaporub. Check first that the humidifier can be used with petroleum oil.
If it does, then add a small amount of Vaporub to your water-filled humidifier for that soothing scent and added comfort it gives.
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Stop That Door From Squeaking
Overactive imaginations don’t go well with squeaky doors. A door that creaks and squeaks when you open or close it, makes others around jump in fright, or wakes the household up when coming home late.
But you don’t need to go to the hardware store for an expensive DIY remedy.
Add a touch of Vaporub to the squeaky joints, and that door will open and shut silently.
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