Fact Check: Can Vicks VapoRub Repel Mosquitoes?

A Facebook post claims that the application of Vicks Vaporub repels mosquitoes. The claim is Half True.

Claim

The video posted by a Facebook user Home Tips claims that the application of Vicks Vaporub repels mosquitoes.

The post has 1,91,000 likes and can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim is Half True. Vicks VapoRub is known for relieving congestion, but its use as a mosquito repellent is based on informal claims. For reliable protection, proven repellents are recommended.

Understanding Vicks VapoRub and its benefits

Vicks VapoRub (VVR) is a medicated ointment made with active ingredients like levomenthol, eucalyptus oil, turpentine oil, and camphor, along with other ingredients such as thymol, cedarwood oil, and soft paraffin. It is a petroleum jelly-based product designed to be rubbed on the chest, throat, and back or dissolved in hot water to release vapours for inhalation. When applied to the skin, the active ingredients evaporate with body heat, and their vapours are breathed in. VVR is mainly used to ease nasal congestion and reduce coughing.

Mosquitoes and Disease Transmission

Mosquitoes are a type of fly with thousands of species, and the most significant types are Aedes, Culex, and Anopheles. These insects pose a serious threat to millions of people and animals worldwide because they act as vectors, carrying and spreading various diseases, including those caused by parasites and viruses. As vectors, mosquitoes transmit diseases by biting or piercing the skin, passing pathogens directly or indirectly to humans. Along with ticks, mosquitoes are key players in spreading vector-borne diseases, making them a major risk to human health. Mosquito-borne diseases are spread by the bite of infected female mosquitoes. These diseases include malaria, Chikungunya, Zika, Dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, Rift Valley fever, Lymphatic filariasis, and tick-borne encephalitis.

Can Vicks VapoRub Repel Mosquitoes?

Vicks VapoRub is commonly used to relieve nasal congestion and alleviate coughing. While some studies mention its use as a mosquito repellent, the evidence is largely anecdotal, with no strong research to firmly establish its effectiveness.

A case study published in the International Journal of Research in Commerce, IT, and Management suggests that Vicks VapoRub may help ward off mosquitoes. Applying small Vick dabs to your skin and clothes is recommended to repel mosquitoes. Furthermore, this property has not been thoroughly tested or validated through formal research in humans.

Another survey study published in PeerJ – The Journal of Life & Environmental Science highlights Vicks VapoRub, particularly its menthol content, as an unconventional mosquito repellent when applied topically. However, this remains an anecdotal claim from the study's participants and is not supported by research evidence.

Similarly, in a study published in the PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases where Participants in the study frequently mentioned using Vicks VapoRub as a mosquito repellent. They reported applying it topically, citing its menthol content keeps mosquitoes away, and noted its dual purpose in soothing mosquito bites.

A review article published in the journal Molecules discussed the biological properties of camphor, highlighting its effectiveness as a mosquito repellent alongside eucalyptus. Laboratory experiments (bioassays) have demonstrated that both camphor and eucalyptus exhibit repellency against specific mosquito species such as Anopheles and Culex. These two ingredients, which are also components of Vicks VapoRub, underscore its potential as a natural alternative to synthetic repellents.

Dr. Juhi Singla, MD (Pharmacologist), SGT University Gurgaon, MBBS, Era’s Lucknow Medical College, told Medical Dialogues, "Many people turn to Vicks VapoRub as a mosquito repellent due to its strong menthol scent and easy availability. While it might provide a temporary sense of protection, its effectiveness against mosquitoes is not scientifically validated. Mosquitoes are carriers of serious diseases, so relying on unproven methods could leave you at risk. For effective and reliable protection, use mosquito repellents containing ingredients like DEET or picaridin."

Dr. Aman Rathore, DNB, Critical Care Medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, added, "Mosquito protection is vital to avoid diseases like dengue and malaria. Some people apply Vicks VapoRub to keep mosquitoes away, likely due to its strong scent, but it is not specifically designed for this purpose. Instead, focus on minimizing exposure by using bed nets, keeping windows and doors screened, and ensuring your living spaces are free from mosquito breeding grounds like stagnant water."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

While Vicks VapoRub is widely known for relieving nasal congestion and cough, its use as a mosquito repellent remains largely anecdotal. Some people report success in using it to keep mosquitoes away, likely due to its menthol and camphor content. However, relying on it for mosquito protection may not provide consistent results, and proven repellents are recommended for effective prevention.

Hence the claim that Vicks VapoRub repel mosquitoes is Half True.