Does chest rub help cough?

Here’s the thing, folks. When you’re down with a cough that just won’t quit, it can quickly turn into a disaster of epic proportions. You start to feel like someone took sandpaper and shoved it directly into your throat while blindly swinging a sledgehammer at your chest in hopes of hitting something…anything! Eventually, you become desperate enough to try anything that promises relief—even if it means rubbing Vick’s VapoRub all over your chest.

But here’s the real question: does chest rub actually help with coughing or is this just some urban legend passed down from generation to generation by grandmas everywhere? Buckle up, buttercup; we’re about to find out!

The Science Behind Chest Rub

So let’s take a trip back in time—all the way back to 1894 when Listerine (yes, that Listerine) first hit the market as an antiseptic mouthwash. Not long after its introduction, clever marketers started claiming that Listerine could cure everything from dandruff to gonorrhea (spoiler alert: it couldn’t). But one thing they didn’t get wrong was its ability to relieve sore throats—it worked so well that people started using it for other respiratory issues too.

Fast forward 40 years and along comes Vick’s VapoRub—a mentholated ointment designed specifically for colds and flu symptoms including coughs. So what makes these products work? In short—the vapors produced when applied cause reflexive dilation of blood vessels which allows better airflow through nasal passages improving breathing performance [], which might be able provide some benefits on relieving congestion related cough [].

The active ingredient(s) vary between brands but most commonly include camphor (found naturally in many trees), eucalyptus oil (derived from—you guessed it—eucalyptus trees), and menthol (found in mint leaves).

How to Use Chest Rub for Coughs

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get down to business. Here are some steps you can take when using chest rub for coughing:

  1. Start by washing your hands thoroughly.
  2. Apply a generous amount of Vick’s (or whichever brand you prefer) onto your chest and gently massage it into your skin.
  3. Put on an old t-shirt so that any excess rub doesn’t seep onto your sheets.
  4. Repeat as needed.

Pro tip: If you’re really congested with sinus issues, try rubbing a small amount of chest rub beneath each nostril before sleeping.

The Verdict: Does It Actually Work?

Honestly? It depends who you ask because research has shown mixed results—some studies[][] claim that there isn’t enough evidence to support its use while others[] suggest that it can be effective for symptom relief depending on the type of cough.

In general, if you have a dry cough without phlegm or congestion then applying chest rub probably won’t do much good since it relies upon loosening mucus build-up which needs wetness []. However in cases where one is slightly congested along with throat irritation from frequent coughing spells, chest-rubs could work better due to their decongestive properties (clearly this information is going deep within here since even our dear grammar-checker decided she’d never heard about decongestive properties!)[]

So ultimately the answer is…the jury’s still out sorry folks [][][].

A Word Of Caution:

While these products are generally safe to use[], they shouldn’t be used on infants under two years old due [<3<3<3 ]to potential risk of serious side effects such as respiratory distress caused by the application of menthol in infants with respiratory disorders[].

It’s also worth noting that some people may be specifically allergic to certain ingredients commonly found in chest rubs such as camphor, eucalyptus oil or menthol. In those cases it is best to check with your doctor before applying any type of chest-rubs.

Other Remedies for Cough:

If you’re tired of slathering on the VapoRub and still not getting relief from coughing, there are a few things you can try instead:

  • Drink plenty of fluids (water helps thin out mucus ~scientifically proven~)[].
  • Add honey to tea or hot water (although not advisable in children under one year old due [<3<3<3]to risk of botulinum spore infection).
  • Gargle salt water.
  • Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen
  • Use throat lozenges/micro-tabs which contain local analgesics or demulcents

Conclusion

There you have it folks—everything you ever wanted to know about using chest rub for coughs but were too afraid to ask! Ultimately it seems like whether this method will provide relief depends on each individual case so at worst, slather away and enjoy the potentially pleasant scent; at most end up getting lower than optimal results compared alternatives discussed above [][]. Either way we hope this article has helped shed some light on what exactly goes into these products so next time someone asks if they work, you’ll be armed with all sorts fun facts [][][]!

Ahem….Vick’s Corporation? We’re eagerly waiting starting payment negotiations 😉

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