What happens if you rub Vicks (camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus oil) on your eye?

Ocular Damage from Vicks VapoRub Contact with Eyes

Rubbing Vicks VapoRub on your eye can cause severe chemical burns, inflammation, and potential vision loss requiring immediate medical attention and ophthalmologic consultation. 1, 2

Immediate Effects of Eye Contact with Vicks VapoRub

• Direct contact of Vicks VapoRub with the eye causes immediate irritation, pain, and inflammation due to its active ingredients (camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus oil) 1, 2
• The FDA drug labels for both camphor and menthol specifically warn to "avoid contact with the eyes or mucous membranes" as these substances are for external use only 1, 2
• The ingredients can cause chemical burns to the cornea, conjunctiva, and other ocular structures 3
• Symptoms include:
  • Severe eye pain and burning sensation 1, 2
  • Excessive tearing 1
  • Redness and swelling of the eye and surrounding tissues 1, 2
  • Blurred vision 3

Potential Complications

• Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) which may progress to corneal ulceration 4
• Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva) 5
• Potential for corneal scarring leading to permanent vision impairment 3
• Risk of secondary bacterial infection 4
• In severe cases, thermal burns may compound chemical damage if the product was heated 3

Mechanism of Damage

• The active ingredients in Vicks VapoRub readily penetrate tissues due to their lipophilic properties 6
• Camphor and menthol are particularly irritating to mucous membranes and can cause direct tissue damage 1, 2
• These compounds can easily penetrate through the corneal epithelium into deeper ocular structures 6
• Eucalyptol has high tissue penetration capabilities, potentially causing deeper ocular damage 6

Emergency Management

• Immediate irrigation of the affected eye with copious amounts of clean water is essential 5
• Avoid pressure irrigation as it may cause corneal abrasion 5
• Seek immediate ophthalmologic evaluation, including a slit-lamp examination 5
• Do not bandage the eye tightly as this may worsen the condition 1, 2
• Do not apply any topical medications without medical supervision 5

Medical Treatment

• An ophthalmologist should evaluate the extent of damage and guide treatment 5
• Topical ophthalmic antibacterials may be prescribed to prevent secondary infection 5
• In cases of severe inflammation, topical corticosteroids may be considered, but only after the corneal epithelium has healed and under strict ophthalmologic supervision 5, 4
• For severe cases, amniotic membrane transplantation has been used successfully to treat combined chemical and thermal burns 3

Special Considerations

• Camphor toxicity can be particularly dangerous, with systemic absorption potentially causing seizures in severe cases 7
• Children are at higher risk for severe reactions due to their smaller body mass and less developed detoxification systems 8
• Menthol may have different toxicity profiles compared to other terpenes like camphor and eucalyptol, but all should be kept away from the eyes 9

Prevention

• Store Vicks VapoRub and similar products out of reach of children 8
• Always wash hands thoroughly after applying these products to avoid accidental transfer to the eyes 1, 2
• Read and follow all product warnings and instructions 1, 2
• Never heat these products in a microwave as superheated petroleum-based products can cause severe thermal and chemical burns 3