"Although Vicks VapoRub http is often used to fight colds and congestion there has never been proof of how well it works. Now new research reported in the journal Pediatrics httppediatrics.aappublications.org finds the combination of camphor menthol and eucalyptus oils actually does ease cold symptoms and help children suffering from upperrespiratory infections sleep. In the study  funded by an unrestricted research grant from Procter  Gamble httpcnn.comHEALTHcompany.funded.researchindex.html makers of Vicks researchers took  children between the ages of  and  with symptoms like cough congestion runny nose and restless sleep that lasted seven days or more. Only children with moderate cough and severe stuffy nose were eligible and those were divided into three groups. Some were treated with Vicks some with a placebo consisting of petroleum jelly and others got no treatment at all. Parents were surveyed the day before treatment about the severity of their childs symptoms. That night  minutes before bedtime Vicks or petroleum jelly was rubbed onto the childs chest and neck. The next day parents were questioned about their childs symptoms overnight. Children in all three groups got better but those treated with the VapoRub saw the greatest improvement and parents in this group also had improved sleep the study found. The American Academy of Pediatrics http says the currently available oral cough and cold medications are not effective for children and have the potential for side effects  said Dr. Ian Paul principal investigator and associate professor of pediatrics and public health sciences Penn State College of Medicine. This was based in part on some of the studies that we have conducted at Penn State. The current study shows that Vaporub is more effective than placebo. Paul is on Procter  Gambles advisory board but holds no stock in the company and will not profit financially. Wheres the line between research and marketing http Twenty of the  children in the vapor rub group suffered mild side effects including  skin irritation and burning sensation of the eyes and nose. There were no side effects in the two other groups. Dr. Jennifer Shu a practicing pediatrician and CNNHealths Living Well expert uses Vicks for her family. I have found that when used properly it can be a good option for parents who want to relieve some cold symptoms in their children. Parents get frustrated with the FDA recommendations not to use cold medicines in kids under the age of  because they are left with few options. Vicks is used topically on the skin its not ingested and is not included in these FDA guidelines. Shu says when used properly Vicks appears to be safe. But as with any product parents need to read the instructions carefully and keep medicines out of the reach of children. Vicks VapoRub is not recommend for children under the age of ."