When you're feeling under the weather and in need of some relief, chances are you'll head to your local pharmacy or supermarket to stock up on cold and flu remedies.

There are so many different products available these days, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. But one product that has been popular among Aussies for generations is Vicks VapoRub. (We bet most of us here even have one in our homes right now!)



Vicks VapoRub has long been renowned for its ability to help ease symptoms like a blocked nose, chesty cough and muscle pain. It's available in two different formulas – Standard Strength and Xtra Strong – depending on how severe your symptoms are.

However, if you have a jar of Vicks VapoRub Xtra Strong 100g in your medicine cabinet right now, we recommend checking the label before using it!



That's because Procter & Gamble Australia – the company that manufactures VapoRub – has issued a recall for one particular batch of this product in Victoria after discovering a labelling mix-up.

The incorrectly labelled batch (number 222605) has a red lid but a standard blue/green label; whereas normally, Xtra Strong has a red lid AND a red label.

This means anyone who relies only on the jar label could be susceptible to skin reactions from three excipient ingredients (cedarwood oil, cardamom and ginger) that are not listed on any of these versions of the Vicks labels. Yikes!



The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has advised that no other batches of this product are being recalled at this time.

So, if you're in Victoria and have VapoRub Xtra Strong 100g with batch number 222605, make sure you return it to the store you bought it from for a full refund. And if you're not sure which batch you have, you can contact the Procter & Gamble Customer Service team on 1800 028 280 for more information.
Most of us know that Vicks VapoRub may be used to quickly relieve the discomfort of a stuffy nose, but few are aware of the many other creative ways in which it can be put to good use. Here are some other amazing ways to use this affordable gel:

Heal your feet

Vicks VapoRub is a popular home treatment for treating various foot ailments such as athlete's foot. The petroleum jelly and other moisturising ingredients in the gel also kill bacteria and prevent their spread, making it ideal for use after a shower or bath.

Moisturise dry skin

Vicks VapoRub is great for moisturising cracked heels, but it can also be used to soothe other places where the skin is very dry. Petroleum jelly's moisturising properties are enhanced by menthol's antibacterial properties, and the two work together to seal in moisture. Simply put a thin layer on any spots that could use a little more moisture.



Keep bugs at bay

This is something that works wonderfully in the summertime. To ward off pesky insects like mosquitoes, rub some Vicks VapoRub on your arms, legs, neck, and anywhere else your skin is exposed. It does not, however, repel insects as well as conventional insect repellents do.

Calm itchy skin

When applied to the skin, Vicks VapoRub helps to calm mild irritation. Because of menthol's antibacterial properties, it can be used to treat a wide variety of itchy skin conditions, from eczema to bug bites.

We hope you found this information useful, folks! If you have more tips to share with us, please feel free to comment below.