4 year old granddaughter is spending the night with us. DIL said she has a cough and to slather Vicks on the bottom of her feet and put socks on her before she goes to bed. Supposedly it's absorbed faster than putting on her chest. Have you ever heard of this?

I haven't heard of it, but that doesn't mean it's not a well known use of this...but...part of the benefit of Vicks is that the vapors are breathed in and help clear up congestion...unless she sleeps with her feet near her head I'm not sure how she'd get this benefit.

That's what my nieces and my dil do also. It baffles me, but it does seem to work.

I never heard of that either. I'm an RN and it makes no sense to me.
I just checked Snopes. There's some back and forth about it.
I'm going to try it b/c I have bronchitis and I've been coughing every night. It won't hurt, but not sure about little ones.

I have heard of it but also that the vicks on the chest can lead to more lung issues. It even has a warning on the label. It may be safer so to say?? Not sure but I have heard of this. Google vicks uses should come up with lots of interesting stuff!

I think it is hillarious this post is on the board. I am dealing with some upper respiratory stuff today and my boss told me to go home tonight and put vicks and socks on my feet. She says her Grandmother used this remedy all the time.

:-)
Leslie

I've heard of it... and it does seem to work.. but it goes against the WAY Vicks works.. via vapors...

I have heard of it and I use mentholatum on my chest because Vicks is so strong.

There is cherry flavored Vicks that is not as strong for children. I have heard about the vicks on the feet with socks. With a cough I am ready to try about anything.

I have done this on myself and my son (when he was younger) and it worked for us.