Vicks VapoRub, the placebo that has become a trend among Barça and Madrid footballers

2023-05-09 08:00:18

Barcelona“Vicks VapoRub is an ointment used for symptomatic relief of cough and nasal congestion from cold and flu. It can be used directly on the skin (cutaneous use) or diluted in hot water for inhalation of vapors”. This is how the manufacturer defines this product designed to relieve the symptoms of colds, but which has become the latest fashion for professional footballers. There are many players who, before the initial whistle of the match, inhale this ointment thinking that it will improve their physical performance. What is true about this trend? Does it really bring benefits to footballers? Is it a recommended practice?

Its origin must be found in the Premier League, in a substance called snus. It is a tea bag that contains nicotine, tobacco and salt and is consumed orally. It can also include other flavorings such as essence of roses or licorice. This substance is not legal in the European Union, except in Sweden, and since Brexit, it can also be ingested in England. The version light which has reached the Spanish League, on the other hand, is with Vicks VapoRub, an ointment made up of menthol, camphor and eucalyptus essence. The phenomenon went viral on the networks when on April 5, before the Cup match between Barça and Real Madrid at Camp Nou, the cameras captured David Alaba, Luka Modric and Camavinga bringing the chest of the shirt to the nose and inhaling.

Lately, we’ve also seen Raphinha do it. The cameras caught the Brazilian applying the product in the dressing room tunnel – while physiotherapist Carlos Nogueira was holding the jar of Vicks VapoRub – before the duel against Osasuna just a week ago. Raphinha is not the only Barça player who has embraced this trend. According to ARA, Gavi, Araujo, Balde and Eric Garcia are among the Blaugrana players who also do it. Footballers believe that it “helps them breathe better”, but the truth is that it is basically a placebo that has become fashionable, as they solve from Ciutat Esportiva to this newspaper.

The same thesis is defended by Dr. Astrid Crespo Lesmann, assistant pulmonologist at the pulmonology service at the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (Barcelona). The specialist points out that “there are no clinical studies that evaluate the effects of Vicks VapoRub when exercising” and that, therefore, “the benefit of inhaling this product in sports practice is nil”: “It’s basically a placebo effect.”

“It is not a recommended practice”

Dr. Crespo also warns of the risks of misuse. The product leaflet itself warns that it should not be applied to the nostrils. But Raphinha did do it that way before going out to play against Osasuna. “Several adverse side effects have been reported if applied to the nostrils. There are studies that associate the continued use of ointments containing fats with lipoid pneumonia.” And, although it is not academically accredited, the pulmonologist also explains that “the elements that make up the ointment in question – menthol, camphor and eucalyptus essence – could even develop asthma episodes in people prone to these respiratory diseases”.

As for whether this trend can lead to addiction, Crespo considers that “if the footballer, through the placebo effect, thinks it’s good for him or sees other teammates doing it, he can end up getting used to it”. However, the specialist considers that it is not a recommended practice: “Basically because there is no study that shows that this generates any benefit in footballers. What there is is a fashion effect. It would be the same as applying a other product or other customs that the players have and that end up becoming a ritual before going out to play a game to gain confidence.”