Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial exposure to a...

Chickenpox

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is an acute, highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family. Its transmission occurs primarily through the inhalation of respiratory droplets or direct contact with vesicular fluid from skin lesions. The incubation period typically ranges from 10 to 21 days, during which the virus replicates and disseminates through sequential phases within the host. Although generally self-limiting in children,...

Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation

Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation

Palpation involves feeling the body to evaluate texture, size, consistency, and tenderness for assessing cardiovascular health. The following steps are organized in a head-to-toe order:
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Exclusion of Disperse Orange 3 From the Textile Dye Mix Present in the Baseline Patch-Test Series: A Study by the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group.

Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug·2025

Same author

Analysis of Hexavalent Chromium in Cement Samples From Countries Within and Outside the EU: A Study From the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group.

Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug·2023

Same author

Vesiculobullous and Other Cutaneous Manifestations of COVID-19 Vaccines: a Scoping and Narrative Review.

Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery·2023

Same author

Patch Testing With Nickel Sulfate 5.0% Traces Significantly More Contact Allergy Than 2.5%: A Prospective Study Within the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group.

Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug·2022

Same author

Photoaggravated Contact Dermatitis to Methylisothiazolinone and Associated Photosensitivity: A Case Series.

Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug·2022

Same author

Effect of dupilumab on allergic contact dermatitis and patch testing.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology·2021

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

A Mouse Ear Model for Allergic Contact Dermatitis Evaluation

A Mouse Ear Model for Allergic Contact Dermatitis Evaluation

Published on: March 24, 2023

Contact dermatitis to Vicks VapoRub.

Kristin Noiles¹, Melanie Pratt

¹Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON. Kristin.Noiles@medportal.ca

Dermatitis : Contact, Atopic, Occupational, Drug

|May 22, 2010

Summary

Vicks VapoRub (VVR) can cause allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), despite its common use for respiratory symptoms. This case report highlights VVR as a direct cause of ACD, challenging previous understanding.

More Related Videos

Effects of Exposure of Formaldehyde to a Rat Model of Atopic Dermatitis Induced by Neonatal Capsaicin Treatment

Effects of Exposure of Formaldehyde to a Rat Model of Atopic Dermatitis Induced by Neonatal Capsaicin Treatment

Published on: September 27, 2017

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis

Published on: July 11, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

A Mouse Ear Model for Allergic Contact Dermatitis Evaluation

A Mouse Ear Model for Allergic Contact Dermatitis Evaluation

Published on: March 24, 2023

Effects of Exposure of Formaldehyde to a Rat Model of Atopic Dermatitis Induced by Neonatal Capsaicin Treatment

Effects of Exposure of Formaldehyde to a Rat Model of Atopic Dermatitis Induced by Neonatal Capsaicin Treatment

Published on: September 27, 2017

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis

Published on: July 11, 2013

Area of Science:

Dermatology
Allergology
Pharmacology

Background:

Vicks VapoRub (VVR) is a widely used over-the-counter topical preparation for symptomatic relief of upper respiratory tract infections.
VVR contains numerous ingredients, including essential oils (turpentine, eucalyptus, cedar leaf) and aromatic compounds (camphor, menthol, nutmeg oil, thymol), some of which have known irritant or sensitizing properties.
Previous literature has documented allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to individual components of VVR, but not to the VVR ointment itself as a direct cause.

Observation:

A patient presented with symptoms indicative of allergic contact dermatitis.
The dermatitis was directly linked to the topical application of Vicks VapoRub.

Findings:

This case report documents the first instance of Vicks VapoRub (VVR) directly causing allergic contact dermatitis (ACD).
The findings suggest that the VVR formulation, as a whole, can act as a sensitizer leading to ACD.

Implications:

Clinicians should consider VVR as a potential direct cause of ACD in patients presenting with relevant symptoms.
This case expands the understanding of VVR's dermatological effects and the potential for ACD from commonly used topical agents.
Further investigation into the specific VVR constituents responsible for direct ACD induction may be warranted.