Contact dermatitis to Vicks VapoRub.

Abstract

Vicks VapoRub (VVR) is a commonly used inhalant ointment that helps relieve symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. It contains several plant substances, including turpentine oil, eucalyptus oil, and cedar leaf oil, which can potentially irritate or sensitize the skin, as well as camphor, menthol, nutmeg oil, and thymol. Although many reports describe allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to the various constituents in VVR ointment, there are no cases of VVR directly causing ACD. We present a case of a patient who developed an ACD secondary to application of her VVR.

• Authors: Kristin Noiles, Melanie Pratt
• Journal: Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug (Dermatitis) 2010 May-Jun Vol. 21 Issue 3 Pg. 167-9 ISSN: 2162-5220 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20487662 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Allergens
• Drug Combinations
• Eucalyptus terpene oil
• Irritants
• Monoterpenes
• Oils, Volatile
• Plant Extracts
• Terpenes
• camphor, cedar leaf oil, eucalyptus oil, menthol, myristica oil, terebinth oil, thymol drug combination
• Menthol
• Eucalyptus Oil
• Thymol
• Camphor
• cedarwood oil
• Neomycin
• Turpentine

Topics

• Aged
• Allergens
• Camphor (adverse effects)
• Dermatitis, Allergic Contact (diagnosis, etiology, pathology)
• Drug Combinations
• Drug Hypersensitivity (diagnosis, etiology, pathology)
• Eucalyptus (adverse effects)
• Eucalyptus Oil
• Female
• Humans
• Irritants
• Menthol (adverse effects)
• Monoterpenes (adverse effects)
• Myristica (adverse effects)
• Neomycin (adverse effects)
• Oils, Volatile (adverse effects)
• Patch Tests
• Plant Extracts (adverse effects)
• Terpenes (adverse effects)
• Thymol (adverse effects)
• Turpentine (adverse effects)