Foot fungus is a common condition caused by microscopic organisms that grow in warm, moist areas. If a person walks in a warm place, such as dressing rooms, showers or pools, organisms can invade your nails and cause an infection. This causes thick nails, and at some point they start losing color and start to break. The condition is unsightly and can be painful in severe cases. Although most cases can be treated by a doctor, but there are home cures also, as Vicks VapoRub, which have shown big progress.
Vicks VapoRub Prepping Uses
Many uses of this cough suppressant and topical analgesic
Alternative uses of Vick’s VapoRub: 20 uses you didn’t know!
Getting a cold is a buzz kill! Vicks Vaporub can help by
temporarily relieving coughs due to common cold, but there’s so
much more that Vick’s VapoRub can do (all of which preppers will
appreciate).
20 Unconventional uses of Vick’s VapoRub!
You probably have a blue container of Vick’s VapoRub in your
medicine cabinet right now. What you’re about to discover is that
it has dozens of alternate uses.
The familiar topical cough medicine with medicated vapors that
works quickly to relieve your cough, is a multi-use prepper item.
Below are twenty uses you didn’t know about Vick’s VapoRub…
#1 Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub: Rubs you the
right way!
Don’t give Vick’s the cold shoulder. A use Vicks Vaporub is as a
topical analgesic to temporarily relieve minor aches and pains of
achy muscles and joints from your shoulders to your feet. Try
rubbing Vicks to relieve the following ailments:
- arthritis
- knee pain
- shoulder and neck pain
- tennis elbow
#2 Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub: Knocks out a
headache!
Not tonight, honey has a headache? Never again will you have
that problem on your hands or head when you have Vicks
VapoRub. Massage a dab on your temples and forehead to help
relieve migraines. (Be sure to avoid eyes and mouth!)
While many claim it is the antidote for a migraine headache,
more accurately it is a remedy for a sinus headache. The menthol
restore deep breathing and thereby quell the headache.
#3: Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub: Soothes skin
conditions.
The healing vapors of menthol may help you breath better when
you have a cold and a dab of it at your nostrils will also help the
raw portion of your nose from using facial tissue.
Another skin ailment that Vicks can soothe is eczema and
rosacea. Vick’s provides relief from itching and scratching by
reducing the inflammation.
#4 Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub: Get rids of
stinky feet!
Got a bad case of stink foot? Let the power and aroma of
camphor, menthol and eucaluptus oil to work their magic on
stinky feet. Apply Vicks generously to your feet and cover them
with socks.
#5: Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub: Moistens
cracked heels.
If the soles of your feet are like sandpaper, then it’s time to give
Vick’s VapoRub a try. Much like the method of getting rid of stinky
feet with Vick’s, you’ll apply some to your heels and then wear
socks to lock in the moisture.
-
See diabetic warning below. Preppers with diabetes must
take an extra measure of care with their feet and Vick’s
Vaporub can help to that regard.
#6 Surprising use of Vick’s Vaporub: Nixes nail
fungus.
Is there a fungus among us? If so, you can rub out nasty nail
fungus with Vick’s Vaporub. If you suspect a fungal problem,
apply Vick’s Vaporub and it will kill the fungus within days if the
fungus is present. Curing foot fungus is not a quick and easy
thing, but certainly Vick’s Vaporub can be part of your routine to
get rid of and prevent nail fungus. The problem is that nail fungus
can come back easily from poor foot hygiene. Use Vicks VapoRub
to cure toenail fungus everyday until the nail bed grows out the
portion with fungus.
- NOTE: For people with sweaty feet, nail fungus will prevail
unless you take preventative measures! Diabetes will also
inhibit your body from healing from nail fungus and you
should seek medical help. Vick’s can be part of your routine
of preventative measures for nail fungus, which may include
using an anti-fungal spray on bath mats, regularly cleaning
the shower, and using flip flops in the locker room. Bad
hygiene can keep the spores coming again.
Survival expert Mykel Hawke, author of some of our favorite
survival guides, commented on our Facebook page that
Onychomycosis is a bit too deep of a fungal infection for a topical
to help, although, it may stop the smell. Better to use diflucan,
in an off label manner, once a week for 6 months, to get a
healthy pink nail again. He sites everydayhealth.com.
#7 Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub: Wrangles the
Ringworm.
Ringworm is a kind of a fungus on the skin ~ it’s a fungal
infection (and not a worm). While Vicks can nix the fungus, Vick’s
can also help you combat ringworm or so says Dr. Peter H. Gott’s
staff and Jared Zeiman, M.D.:
Doctors usually advise application of an anti-fungal ointment,
including Clotrimazol, for ringworm, which also treats vaginal
yeast infections, and oral thrush. The drug requires a
prescription, so the doctor can monitor blood counts and can
watch for any harmful side effects, particularly in regards to liver
and kidney function during treatment. Side effects are the reason
you may like to consider using Vick’s VapoRub for ringworm
instead. It’s inexpensive, safe and effective.
- Tea tree oil can help fight ringworm as well.
- Try also apple cider vinegar to help fight ringworm, too.
#8 Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub: Remedies dry
itchy scalp.
You’re not a flaky person, you have a scalp condition! Vick’s
comes to the rescue with yet another unconventional use for dry
itchy scalp including dandruff. If you want to skip the cortisone
routine, or don’t have any available, carefully apply a thin layer
of Vick’s VapoRub to the flaky parts of your scalp and forehead.
(Be careful to avoid the eyes.)
- Try also using mouthwash to get rid of your dandruff!
#9 Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub: Heals paper
cuts.
Use Vick’s VapoRub as an improvised replacement for
NeosporinSpeed the healing time of paper cuts with Vick’s
VapoRub. Two of the ingredients, camphor and menthol, both
have antiseptic qualities. Aside from the antiseptic properties,
you’ll find the ingredient of “Special Petrolatum” acts much like
Vaseline, which also will help keep the cuts of skin together
banishing dirt and speeding the healing process. Using Vick’s on
paper cuts may sting a bit, but that’s just a sign that it’s doing
the job.
#10 Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub: Relieves ear
aches.
The magical and medicinal menthol offers relief for throbbing ear
aches. Never stick anything inside the ear (even ear swabs).
Instead, to relieve ears, get a cotton ball and dab a generous
amount of Vick’s VapoRub and allow the cotton ball to nestle and
cushion the ear.
#11 Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub: Helps remove
splinters.
To prevent infection and speed up healing time, dab a small
amount of Vicks on any small cut or splinter. The petroleum base
of the product, which is just like Vaseline, will help seal up the
splinter and coat it for easy removal later.
#12 Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub: Cancels the
cold sores and cracked lips.
While this idea is not approved by the manufacturer and we
caution even to mention it as Vick’s VapoRub is for external use
only ~ but if you are careful, then Vick’s VapoRub can improvise
lip balm to remedy the painful split lips at the corners of the
mouth. (It’s not advisable to give your lips a refreshing menthol
for fear of accidental ingestion.) Cold sores can get the
treatment too,if you can avoid the lips.
-
WARNING: When using as emergency lip balm, be careful
and do not ingest. Also, do not use on lips while pregnant or
nursing, and do not use this method on children for fear they
will swallow the medication. Repeat: this product is for
external use only!
#13 Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub: offers
hemmorrhoid help.
Yes and no! It’s not a manufacturer approved but Vicks can help
provide relief from hemmorhoids. Don’t have the Preparation H
handy? Rub in some Vick’s VapoRub to help you out in a pinch, if
you dare! To some it provides an immediate stinging sensation,
but it will cure you of the itch. Other feel the “flames” of
effectiveness! While it may sting, the”end result” is the same.
Sleep on the idea: rub in some Vick’s after a soothing bath. It
just may shrink them overnight (if you can stand it).
#14 Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub. Banishes the
bruising.
If you’ve landed yourself a tender bruise, gently apply Vick’s to
energize and renew. Within days you’ll see a significant
improvement. Some generational elders suggest mixing a scrub
of salt into the affected area to offer a bruise exfoliating
massage.
#15 Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub: Eases stretch
marks.
This idea is not a stretch! You really can erase stretch marks with
the help of Vick’s Vaporub. The anti-inflammatory properties help
shrink the skin in the same way it does for hemmorrhoids.
#16 Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub: Bites back at
bug bites.
Repel mosquitoes with Vick’s VapoRub. Dr. Joseph Mercola says
one of the best insect repellents made of natural ingredients is
Vick’s VapoRub. So now you can think of Vick’s Vapor rub is an
alternative to bug spray. The menthol vapors can not only repel
mosquitoes, but it can help you bite back at the pain:
-
Bee stings. For prompt relief from a bee or wasp sting,
Vick’s can simultaneously help dislodge the stinger and
begin soothing the pricked area. -
Flea bites. If Fido’s fleas have you scratching, apply Vick’s
promptly to soothe the area: both the bite and the itch. -
Mosquito Woes? Whisk away mosquitoes with Vicks. To
deal with wicked mosquito bite swelling, rub Vick’s into the
affected area. It will make the itch and pain vanish! It’s a
topical analgesic as well as a natural antibiotic. -
Ticked off by Ticks? Take the bite out of tick bites with the
menthol stench of Vicks Vaporub and the suffocating effects
of the petroleum. Dab some over the afflicted area and
you’ll be able to easily slide off the tick with a credit card.
#17 Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub: Deters pests.
Just as it deters pests, Vicks also helps you keep your pets at
bay.
-
Got a case of cat scratch fever? Keep your kitty from
scratching the new leather couch or wood furniture with
Vick’s Vaporub. Cats don’t like the smell and will find
another place to claw. The bonus is that you’ll buff in a little
moisture to condition the furniture. (Be sure to test a small
sample of the furniture first.) -
Is your pet urinating inside the house? While it doesn’t do
the job of cleaning, Vick’s VapoRub does have a
preventative measure in deterring your pet from attempting
to claim its territory. To train your pet, place a heaping
spoonful of Vick’s on a canning lid, and lay it in the
presumed location. Your pet’s strong sense of smell
#18 Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub: Shrinks zits.
Unsightly acne that gets a refreshing smack of Vick’s VapoRub
also gets a burst of anti-inflammatory medication to keep the red
out. So go ahead and zap the zits. The fast acting camphor and
eucalyptus oil will help dry it up.
#19 Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub: Blocks
unpleasant smells.
If sanitation is ever an issue in prepping (as with the stench of
decaying bodies), then Vick’s VaporRub will help relieve nostrils
of unpleasant smells. Just rub some under the nose. Similarly,
Vick’s relieves catarrh (serious nasal congestion).
Under ordinary circumstances, you’ll have a more pleasant time
taking out the garbage or cleaning up an unpleasant mess.
#20 Surprising use of Vick’s VapoRub: Soothes a
sore throat.
Put a sock on it! Concluding the wisdom of generations, Vick’s
VaporRub will soothe sore throat if you only put a sock on it! For
this remedy, rub a generous portion of Vick’s VaporRub on the
throat then gently wrap a sock to warm the neck.
-
NOTE OF CAUTION: Putting a sock around your throat is an
obvious choking hazard. You’d probably fare just as well
sleeping in a turtle neck sweater!
Certainly clearing nasal passages is the most widely appreciated
use of Vick’s Vaporub, but now you know the many useful ways
to use it.
Warnings about Vick’s VapoRub
Vicks VapoRub isn’t for everyone. Some may have an allergic
reaction with redness at the site of application. Others have
more serious conditions, such as diabetes, where circulatory
problems and fungal infections are more severe and could cause
other implications.
Do not ingest!
As aforementioned, this product is for external use only.
Diabetic Information:
Because Vicks VapoRub is a topical cough medicine, it may be
appropriate for diabetics looking for an alternative to oral cough
medicines that might contain sugar. Ask your primary care
physician, and consult the American Diabetes Association for
more information, because it’s not right for everyone.
Allergic information:
As with any medication, you should read the ingredients
carefully. Some of the ingredients listed below could trigger an
allergic reaction. While beneficial in many ways, camphor can be
a toxic substance and you should not ingest! Some argue that if
you can’t eat it, then it doesn’t belong on your skins.
-
Ingredients of Vicks VapoRub: Camphor 4.8% (Cough
Suppressant and Topical Analgesic), Eucalyptus Oil 1.2%
(Cough Suppressant) Menthol 2.6% (Cough Suppressant and
Topical Analgesic) Inactive Ingredients: Cedarleaf Oil,
Nutmeg Oil, Special Petrolatum, Thymol, and Turpentine Oil.
Vick’s VapoRub is a cough suppressant, topical analgesic and an
antifungal and has so many uses in prepping.
Happy endings…
In the movies you’ll always want happy endings. Did you know
Vick’s VapoRub is often used by actors to help them cry? While
Vick’s Vaporub will induce crying, that’s not how a prepper would
use it; however, it’s fun to know.
Thinking of squirreling away some Vick’s VaporRub? Another
weird use of Vick’s VapoRub is to smear on the bird feeder pole
to keep the squirrels from getting at the stash of bird seed!
Need a little help in the bedroom? In addition to getting rid of
headaches, rumor has it that Vick’s can get the blood flowing in
the male anatomy. It may sting a bit, but you won’t need the
Viagra! (The discovery was made by a man who was looking to
cure his jock itch.)
Did these ideas surprise you? There are many more potential
uses of Vick’s VaporRub for you to discover. One thing that
doesn’t quite seem clear is how putting Vick’s VapoRub on your
feet would have any effect on de-congesting the patient, but ~
surprise ~ it does! Use Vicks VapoRub to cure toenail fungus, get
rid of the stink and de-congest simultaneously!
Vick’s VapoRub is a multi-use prep to stock in your prepper’s
medicine cabinet.
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