Vicks VapoRub: An effective treatment for COVID?

Throughout the course of the pandemic, we’ve heard some pretty astounding theories on how to treat the virus that has taken over the world. This one, however, takes the cake.

According to Professor Didier Raoult, a microbiologist who specialises in infectious diseases, rubbing the Vicks VapoRub ointment on the nose may be the cure we needed for COVID. He posted a video on YouTube channel of the IHU Méditerranée-Infection on Tuesday, but viewers were not convinced.

Vicks VapoRub

If you’re not familiar with what Vicks VapoRub is, it’s a very fragrant ointment that is made from mint which is normally applied to the chest before bedtime to combat any symptoms of the flu, asthma, bronchitis, among other illnesses.

This medicine has been around for decades, but has not been found to be an effective treatment for COVID.

Raoult thinks that it may be able to fight against the coronavirus.

A dangerous proposal

The good news is that Raoult is not asking individuals to start putting VapoRub on their noses but he’s recommending that a series of supervised tests be conducted to see if the ointment can actually make a difference.

The problem is that using VapoRub in this manner is considered to be very dangerous. An internet user, who was taken aback by Raoult’s advice, decided to question the drug’s manufacturer directly on Twitter to figure out whether it was really a possibility. The answer he got cleared all his doubts, the company said:

As mentioned on the label, VapoRub should only be applied to the chest and throat to relieve a cough, and on muscles and joints for aches and pains. It shouldn't be used under or in the nose, in the mouth, or ingested. An oil base product can get into the lungs if used improperly