# I want a Vapor Shot! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 13, 2006, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-a-vapor-shot/380272 "2006-11-13T17:52:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2006, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-a-vapor-shot/380272/1 "2006-11-13T17:52:38Z")
I have a cold. I’m miserable. My head is stuffy and my throat is sore. All my muscles hurt. I feel like I have little bugs crawling around under my skin. I want a [Vapor Shot!](http://cgi.ebay.com/BREATHE-RIGHT-VAPOR-SHOT-HUGE-LOT-OF-10-BOXES_W0QQitemZ300046406737QQihZ020QQcategoryZ75037QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem). I don’t want to buy them off eBay. Somehow, that strikes me as not a very good idea. I also don’t want to wait for them. Why can’t I find them in the stores near me? I’ve checked 3 different grocery store chains, 3 different pharmacy chains, and 4 different online pharmacys. I’ve spent the last hour searching for any information on the discontinue or recall of these things and I can’t find anything. Where are my Vapor Shots!? ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2006, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-a-vapor-shot/380272/2 "2006-11-13T20:00:34Z")
You could try Vick’s VapoRub instead - it’s got a strong menthol smell to it and that usually helps clear me up, at least for a little bit. ---
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2006, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-a-vapor-shot/380272/3 "2006-11-13T20:06:09Z")
[QUOTE=liirogue] You could try Vick’s VapoRub instead - it’s got a strong menthol smell to it and that usually helps clear me up, at least for a little bit. [/QUOTE] That’s all I ever use. Rub some on the chest to let the vapours rise up into the nasal passages, then some on the back to help alleviate coughing. For a straight-up shot of menthol you can smear a bit below your nose, though I find this rather uncomfortable. Strong mentholated gum can also help for a brief period, or you can get Halls mentholated strips, which are like those Listerine Pocket Packs, but with an extra shot of menthol. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2006, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-a-vapor-shot/380272/4 "2006-11-13T20:19:05Z")
Pot of boiling water on stove. Put spoonful of vicks vapor rub into pot. Put towell over head and pot. ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2006, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-a-vapor-shot/380272/5 "2006-11-13T20:25:10Z")
I love how VapoRub works, but I hate the way it feels. I have been known to walk around carrying a bottle, just sniffing it. That slimy squishy feeling on my chest makes me feel all oogy. I like the Vapor Shots because they’re easier to use at work. I can take a break and sit in the back with a cup under my chin. They also work much faster than VapoRub and the results last longer (for me anyway). I’m feeling like an idiot right now because I gave my last tablet to my boss, without checking first to make sure I could get more. He was happy. I am not. **Kevbo** , that’s an excellent idea. I now just have to work up the ambition to go to the store. Considering how long it took me to take a shower, it might be a while. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2006, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-a-vapor-shot/380272/6 "2006-11-13T22:44:16Z")
In a pinch, you can open a jar of horseradish, and sniff that. Surprisingly effective. ---
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2006, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-a-vapor-shot/380272/7 "2006-11-13T23:34:10Z")
[QUOTE=AskNott] In a pinch, you can open a jar of horseradish, and sniff that. Surprisingly effective. [/QUOTE] Or better still, snarf a wad of wasabi. That’ll clear up the sinuses right quick – and if taken in large enough doses, may sear them shut entirely.