Is AWESOME to help with Itching and pain. It also has healing capabilities. This tip was given to me by a friend who also has EB. She has been using it her whole life for the above reasons. When she posted about it I was skeptical.
I thought it would BURN and I was hesitant to try it however, one hot, itchy day I was desperate and I tried it. I was AMAZED! It instantly stopped the itching, providing a cool, tingly effect that stayed for hours. I was not itchy all day!
I have never taken medications for itching, only used hard plastic ice packs, which are an amazing help but not very practical for daytime use unless laying down. I still use ice packs while I sleep to help keep my skin temp lower to help prevent night time itching BUT my itching (overall) has been reduced by about 80% since I started using mentholated rub.
I use a very small amount, about the size of a pea for a 4x4 in area. I also tried it directly on an open wound and it did NOT burn!! (when using on kids they may mistake the cooling effect as burning so maybe ask them if it burns or just feels really cold). Short post today but wanted to share that with everyone :)
Here are some comments from other EB patients/caregivers who have tried the mentholated rub:
Mother of child with EB: "Vicks VapoRub totally worked! After a year of M's scratching keeping a spot on his neck open and raw, it's almost healed. AMAZING!!
Jessica G: "im so glad someone else is having the same success with the itching relief i did"
From Chrissy W. whose son has EB, "I tried the vicks on Z. last night. He said it burned when I put it on but I did touch an open sore that I didn't know was there so I don't know if the vicks really did burn or if I just hurt him when I touched the spot. I put it on all the spots that he is most itchy and this morning he woke up with all his bandages in place. He said he didn't itch last night and was so proud of himself for not pulling any bandages out :) I'm going to continue to use it and see if it really does burn at first or if I just hurt him. I put it on again tonight and he said it burned (this time I put it on the bandages, not actually him) so I asked if it burned or just felt really cold, he said really cold. Thanks again for the info."
Love, Light and Blessings!
