Vicks Vaporub and Ts

[Odontodactylus]

Hi, I mainly just want to know if I'm using Vicks on my chest how safe it would be to be around my Ts. I know they don't handle fumes very well and I used to always move them to another room I rarely go in while I'm sick. I dont want to use vicks around them if there's any risk but I was curious if anyone knows if its particularly safe.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Hi, I mainly just want to know if I'm using Vicks on my chest how safe it would be to be around my Ts. I know they don't handle fumes very well and I used to always move them to another room I rarely go in while I'm sick. I dont want to use vicks around them if there's any risk but I was curious if anyone knows if its particularly safe.

Unless it’s on your hands and you decide to handle a t I find it unlikely to bother them .
@HooahArmy
might know more I’m no expert on these chemicals in vix.

 

[Odontodactylus]

@HooahArmy

I summon thee!

 

[viper69]

It depends on how far the molecules travel from you- not a risk for me

 

[HooahArmy]

@HooahArmy
I summon thee!

Out from the depths... I rise!
(Sleepily, of course.)

Alright, ladies and gents, let's look at Vicks Vaporub, something which my papa cures everything.
The primary ingredient in this fellow is menthol, which is frequently derived from naturals sources. Menthol and camphor molecules are volatile (can go airborne), hence they can reach a clogged-up snoot. They also work on skin of certain animals, engaging the 'cold' receptors within to give that cooling feeling. The other is the synthetic camphor, which does about the same. There's eucalyptus oil in there too, but its also doing the same business too (and is less volatile).

While menthol/ camphor works well on vertebrates with mucous membranes and porous skin to generate either sneezing, rubbing, or a cooling feeling; its effects are debated among invertebrates. Studies have shown that menthol/camphor cannot be detected by certain insects since they lack 'noses' and skin receptors that are activated by menthol. There are a few oddballs like flies, who have been documented to turn away from treated areas, but only if the insect comes in direct contact with it, not because they have 'smelled' it. Other insects who find prey with CO2 detection or other similar means (like skeeters) can be dissuaded from biting with the use of menthol/camphor, but it isn't because the stuffs annoys them--they just can't smell you through the presence of too many menthol/camphor molecules in the air.

There aren't many studies that detail invert reactions to menthol and camphor as a toxin, but studies have detailed that some inverts may be unlikely to be able to detect them or have body organs that can react to them. Regardless, that doesn't mean that menthol and camphor safe, whether they are airborne as a nice Vicks smell, or through contact... there just are not enough major studies to detail reactions. Direct contact is often the primary induction point of a toxin to an invert, so when using Vicks, DON'T touch your pal or his/her enclosure... just to be certain. If you are using Vicks near your pal, keep an eye on them and take note if you see shying away, hair flicking, or any other behavior that indicates that they may be uncomfortable. Leave the area or curtail use if they are doing those things.

More irritating than camphor, eucalyptus, and menthol however is petroleum base that forms the rub. This stuff HAS been proven to be an irritant to inverts because of its viscosity! Whether entrapping limbs or clogging breathing pores or disrupting the chemistry of exoskeletons, petroleum can and will kill an invert pal if they were to come in contact with it. So as a rest, when using Vicks, hands off your buddies.

BOTTOM LINE
- Inverts may possibly be sensitive to the airborne chemicals in Vicks. There aren't enough studies to fully detail this, but when in doubt, don't use it around them.
- If you must rub your Vicks, keep an eye on your pals for symptoms of irritation.
- Don't touch your pal after using Vicks! The petroleum within it is a greater danger than the aromatic ingredients!

I will now crawl back into my foxhole...

 

[Odontodactylus]

I ended up not using it at all and feel better but that is definitely informative thanks!

I used to always move them to other rooms before using if I need it, so glad to know that is the right call. Interesting to think of it as a possible mosquito repellent when outside at night.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I ended up not using it at all and feel better but that is definitely informative thanks!

I used to always move them to other rooms before using if I need it, so glad to know that is the right call. Interesting to think of it as a possible mosquito repellent when outside at night.

I use Vix only before bed not around my Ts . Helps me breathe easier . I don’t hold my Ts anymore the hairs and risk of fall I quit that years ago. Just don’t do so with vix on your hands and you’re safe .

 

[The Snark]

@HooahArmy You missed one common ingredient that is also in that range of balms or whatever they want to call them, Dimethyl ammonium. The Icy in IcyHot and those compounds. And as far as quaternary ammonium compounds go, this baby be all yours!

 

[HooahArmy]

@HooahArmy You missed one common ingredient that is also in that range of balms or whatever they want to call them, Dimethyl ammonium. The Icy in IcyHot and those compounds. And as far as quaternary ammonium compounds go, this baby be all yours!

Yep, you're right about the Dimethyl ammonium/ other ammoniums. It's all over the place in balms in just about every nation, yet I only left it out since the query first had mentioned the Vicks Vaporub. Thanks for bringing it up!
Compared to some of the volatile ingredients in Vicks that go airborne to give that schnozz-clearing smell, ammoniums tend not be be volatile and enter the air, but are an inhalation toxin if some wombat decides to up and snort a line of IcyHot. The primary danger within those is contact dermatitis or irritation, caused by sensitive skin or erroneous application to mucous membranes. They're safe for use on humans as long as a person doesn't touch their eyes, nose, mouth, or bum; keeping an eye as well on sensitive skin. When concentrated in quantities far greater than one would find in a balm, the stuff does get quite zesty and can almost feel like mace on the skin--causing an instant rash and blotches of red irritation.
IcyHot and I have a good history...

Army Joke: "What are a soldier's favorite colognes? IcyHot and Tiger Balm."

 

[The Snark]

Compared to some of the volatile ingredients in Vicks that go airborne to give that schnozz-clearing smell, ammoniums tend not be be volatile and enter the air, but are an inhalation toxin if some wombat decides to up and snort a line of IcyHot.

My toes curl up at the thought. Shades of the Tide Pod challenge and 'Got Covid? Have a few swigs of bleach.'
What about adjunct compounds that can cause ammoniums to become volatile? I'm thinking on two lines, accidental mixing with common aromatics, and then, what is the safe concentration to vehicle and inert ingredient ratio? I got a tub of some stuff here, looks like those old patent medicine gigs. My other didn't want the Tiger Balm burn so I got this stuff that listed methylammonium. Instant inflammation. Electric intense cold on my fingers. Except for that word all else is in Thai and Chinese so no idea of concentration.

Army Joke: "What are a soldier's favorite colognes? IcyHot and Tiger Balm."

And fire fighters. I hate that; totally exhausted and cramps and spasms won't let you get more than cat naps.

But the real cooker is a little 4 ounce spray bottle I have here. Again mostly in Chinese but the Engish words, 'Extract from 100% herb and no allergy', 'rub on painful parts of body/ muscle rapid results/ rub in the itchy part.' And then, four ingredients in Chinese, each 10%.
Well, whatever the frack is in that bottle, mosquito bites quit itching in a couple of minutes and it instantly kills/neutralizes mites. Use one tiny spritz to cover your entire back and roast. Possibly glow in the dark.

 

[HooahArmy]

My toes curl up at the thought. Shades of the Tide Pod challenge and 'Got Covid? Have a few swigs of bleach.'

This reminds me of a tale a friend once told me...
My homie's husband: Military interpreter
The scene: Nigeria
The villain: Boko Haram extremist being questioned on why he tried (and failed) to run a truck into a US humanitarian aid security checkpoint.

Interpreter: "Can you tell me why you perpetrated this attack against US aid workers?"
Terrorist: *Visibly bitter* "You Americans are the worst! You Tide-pod-eating, football-deflating, hamburger-flipping b*stards are the scourge of..."
The interpreter only translated the statement after laughing continuously for 15 minutes.

 

[The Snark]

The interpreter only translated the statement after laughing continuously for 15 minutes.

Having been in more than a few checkpoints with scowling people in fatigues staring at the holier than thou white people in the air conditioned vehicles I'm torn between flattening my face on this keyboard and throwing myself on the floor in helpless laughter.

Taking it down to the nitty gritty, I was more than a little surprised that a 'Nam vet was surprised when he realized that the locals in Asia could spot the American GIs in complete darkness by the smell.

Somewhere out in the great beyond Col. 'Hack' is staring at this planet's presently ongoing idiocies and shaking his head in disbelief.

 

[HooahArmy]

I'm torn between flattening my face on this keyboard and throwing myself on the floor in helpless laughter.

But did it make you want to eat a Tide Pod?!

 

[The Snark]

But did it make you want to eat a Tide Pod?!

Of the stupid moves I have seen in forty years in and around the emergency service, that one ranks in the top 10. Maybe even the top 5. Right alongside the guy who tried to snort an ounce of cocaine. A Tide pod? An entire ounce? Nawwwwww. Nobody is........................

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

But did it make you want to eat a Tide Pod?!

Beats me how anyone is dumb or foolish enough to do this … but it happens !

Of the stupid moves I have seen in forty years in and around the emergency service, that one ranks in the top 10. Maybe even the top 5. Right alongside the guy who tried to snort an ounce of cocaine. A Tide pod? An entire ounce? Nawwwwww. Nobody is........................

yeah Tide pod is like a toxic treat why on earth would anyone eat one ? Not to mention the nasty chemicals . These people who do it just defy logic ..

 

[The Snark]

Now I'm ruminating the incredible dumbs I've seen and heard about and thinking I'd rather turn my mind elsewhere so let's get back to the OP.... Vicks Vapor......... No. Let's not go there. Errrr.......
Well how about a nice fun tasty dumb that turned out just fine but.......
Off color, viewer discretion advised. A dumb within a dumb, and a mind a little numb.

Spoiler

I get called to the ER by the doc. Bio-med tech with years of rescue and extrication, and an engineer. Doc takes me aside to a patient moaning in agony and asks "What do you got that will cut that?"
R U Serious time...

Spoiler

A Male patient. His testies encased in a steel ball about the size of a tennis ball with a small aperture. A shiny suspicious looking ball. So practical mind kicks in and takes over, I dig out my Buck knife, flip it open as the doc goes to hold the ball. The patient sees the knife and lets out quite a scream.
Doc stares at me, I stare at him. Oops. Doc knows I want to test the hardness of the ball and figure out what it will take to cut it open but maybe, just maybe, a more sedate method should be employed?
Buck couldn't scratch the ball. Sugar Honey Ice Tea. Doc and I look at each other. We know. Case hardened. Only a carbide grinding wheel is going to do that job.
Joy of joys. And I'm off shift. Have fun, doc.