Vapor rub, petrolatum, and no treatment for children with nocturnal cough and cold symptoms.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine if a single application of a vapor rub (VR) or petrolatum is superior to no treatment for nocturnal cough, congestion, and sleep difficulty caused by upper respiratory tract infection.

Methods

Surveys were administered to parents on 2 consecutive days--on the day of presentation when no medication had been given the previous evening, and the next day when VR ointment, petrolatum ointment, or no treatment had been applied to their child's chest and neck before bedtime according to a partially double-blinded randomization scheme.

Results

There were 138 children aged 2 to 11 years who completed the trial. Within each study group, symptoms were improved on the second night. Between treatment groups, significant differences in improvement were detect

SUBMITTER: Paul IM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3600823 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature