Menthol can sometimes irritate the skin, making it highly sensitive to the sun and leading to dark spots. First, please stop using the mentholated rub. To help your skin heal and prevent further burning, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen containing zinc oxide daily. For the dark spots, gentle topical ingredients like azelaic acid or vitamin C can help fade them safely over time. Keeping your skin hydrated with a simple, fragrance-free moisturizer will also support your skin barrier. I highly recommend consulting a dermatologist for a personalized treatment plan.

This persistent dryness is common and often triggered by dry air, mild dehydration, allergies, or mouth breathing. Your use of warm tea and cough drops like Vicks or Koflet is excellent for temporary relief. To help it resolve, try staying well-hydrated, using a cool-mist humidifier in your room, or practicing steam inhalation. Rest assured, this is very manageable. However, if you develop new symptoms like fever, or if the dryness persists, please consult a healthcare professional for a personalized evaluation.

Typically, inhaling steam with ingredients like salt, turmeric, or Vicks for five days will not cause a lasting loss of these senses. However, the strong menthol and camphor in Vicks can temporarily overwhelm your nasal passages, masking smells. More importantly, the underlying cold, sinus infection, or viral illness you are treating is the most common culprit behind a temporary loss of taste and smell. This usually improves as your body recovers. Please rest, stay hydrated, and consult a doctor if your symptoms persist or worsen.

Often, a persistent cough and throat mucus are due to 'post-nasal drip' or temporary airway sensitivity. Since standard syrups aren't helping, a doctor might suggest a nasal steroid spray like fluticasone to reduce mucus, or an oral antihistamine. Sometimes, an inhaled bronchodilator like albuterol is prescribed to calm the airways. I highly recommend visiting a healthcare provider for a proper chest exam to find the best targeted relief for you.

I advise against using Vicks BabyRub on your six-week-old baby, as it is only safety-tested and recommended for infants three months and older. A newborn's skin and airways are still very delicate and sensitive. Instead, to help soothe your baby's congestion safely, you can use a cool-mist humidifier in their sleeping area or apply gentle saline nasal drops. If you notice any difficulty breathing, a fever, or trouble feeding, please reach out to your pediatrician.

It is generally safe to use your Vicks nasal inhaler (which typically contains camphor and menthol) on the same day as your surgery. However, please be very gentle. Strong sniffing or inhaling forcefully can create suction in your mouth, which might dislodge the healing blood clot and lead to a painful dry socket. If you use it, breathe in very softly. Alternatively, using a warm mist humidifier or plain saline nasal spray can safely ease your congestion without any risk to your healing gums.