vicks babybalm alert!

[slim22]

Hi everyone,

My sister told me that on French TV (8pm news buletin, yesterday), they advised parents not to use this product anymore due to high risk of fits.
French pharmacist are taking it very seriously and removing it from the shelves.
The advice is to stop using on children under 3 years until further reaserch proves it's safe to use.
I have done a little research re: aromatherapy oils and indeed eucalyptus and camphor oils are a strict No No for kids.
I'll let you be the judge for your own kids.
PS: It's a shame really because I found it the most effective remedy against colds.

[snowmeltsonthebeach]

god, both of mine are slathered in it every night at the moment and have been since they were babies. Thanks for the tip off

[ChristmasCracker]

Thanks for letting us know, i'll stick to the snuffle babe instead then.

[feastofstevenmom]

thanks very much. another fan of it

i did wonder a bit that they thought it was ok to use something with lavender in....

[aloha]

Yes, it's really the camphor that's the problem in children under 30months, apparently. There were reports of two babies having fits.

[DoesntChristmasDragOn]

Why is this not news in the UK?

[slim22]

Hello again,

I tried to find a some usefull info in english, the only thing that came up is the following link:
194.185.232.22/brd/news.asp?ID=362

Basically, Procter an Gamble has recalled the product in France under pressure from the local food and drug administration.

[JanH]

\link{http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=www.quotimed.com/flashs/index.cfm%3Ffuseaction%3Dviewflashinfo%26flashidx%3D8006&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dvicks%2Bbabybalm%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26newwindow%3D1%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DG\Google translation} of a French news item.

Also found " AFSSAPS and P&G announce recall of Vicks BabyBalm.

In co-operation with the French Agency for the Medical Safety of Health Products (AFSSAPS), Procter&Gamble Pharmaceuticals is recalling all batches of its Vicks BabyBalm perfumed body cream. The cosmetic product balm is applied on the chest of babies of 3 months or more for relaxing purposes.

Two neurological side effects have been reported after the use of the product, which contains two terpenic by-products: camphor and eucalyptol.

The AFFSSAPS announced it is evaluating the safety of terpenic by-products in cosmetics with the aim to limit their concentration.

© www.beauty-on-line.com - Vincent Gallon"

Also "The Queensland Poisons Information Centre does not encourage the use of chest rubs, vaporiser or inhalant fluids to treat coughs and colds, or for any other purpose.

Chest rubs and vaporiser fluids do not have any proven benefit. They can make you feel as though your airways are clearing but this is because camphor, menthol or eucalyptus oil make your nasal passages more sensitive to cold air. Chest rubs and vaporiser fluids do not have a decongestant effect.

The camphor and eucalyptus oil in chest rubs and vaporiser fluids are poisonous and can make children very sick if they swallow them. Each year Poisons Information Centres send many children to hospital after they have swallowed chest rub or vaporiser fluid.

(Adapted with permission from the Victorian Poisons Information Centre

www.sma.org/smj2000/junesmj00/uc.pdf

Do NOT apply products containing peppermint oil, camphor or menthol on the face (especially in the nose) or chest of a baby or young child. There have been cases where the direct application of menthol or camphor products (for example, Vicks VapoRub™) to baby's skin resulted in severe breathing difficulties or liver problems."

Blimey. I used to put Vick up my nose when I was a kid