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Product Details
- Binding
- Health and Beauty
- Brand
- Vicks
- Feature
- Provides vapor therapy for colds, flu, bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments
- Label
- Vicks
- Publisher
- Vicks
- Studio
- Vicks
- ItemDimensions
- Height:560
Length:830
Weight:110
Width:570 - PackageDimensions
- Height:560
Length:840
Weight:130
Width:570
Editorial Reviews
Patented self regulation heater with soothing steam penetration to nasal, sinus and throat passages
I've been using it whenever my sinus is blocked and it does a great job. Very low maintenance and the cost (water + a bit of electricity) is close to nothing to what it uses.
The face mask (I'll call it that) fits me well but I usually keep my head a few inches away when the steam really starts to engage. I surely don't want to fry my nasal passages and it could easily do that if I continue to keep my face right up to the mask.
I know I could use those menthol pads but the cost is high even searching around on the internet for lower costs. What I did instead is purchase those pocket Vicks inhalers that is not only cheap but very effective too! I usually stop for 30 seconds between steam sessions and inhale through each nostril about three times and then continue on with 5-10 minute sessions doing this for 20 minutes or so. Works real well.
I think the device will last me years and years and the maintenance with white vinegar is also low cost!
so glad I purchased the inhaler anyway. I was concerned about
the amount of steam the unit produced based on one review, and I assure you, his/her item must have been broken. The unit literally boils the water and produces alot of steam. As a matter of fact I turned the unit off because it got a bit too hot for me, then just enjoyed the leftover steam. I'm a singer and need a little compact unit like this to take with me. The face piece is so soft and very comfortable. Enjoy.
Follow the instructions. Using it for a 5 minute session 3 times a day really did the trick. The first two days I got releif and could sleep all night but would still get congested. On the 3rd day the gates opens and the drainage was terrific. I am getting one for my grown son that has allergies worse than I do .
Another thing important for me was a possibility to use oil. Neither Vicks or Mabis inhaler assume that you can directly add aroma oil to water. Both brands sale their own inhaler pads designed to work with their machines. But the choice of oils is very limited. By the way, the Vicks Inhaler comes with a disposable pad good for one time use. Some people reported that they had still added a few drops of oil. For some it worked fine, for the others it didn't work that well screwing in some way the water heating surface. What I did is I bought this refill kit (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XPX1HG) and it's been working great for me. You can put a pad directly on the plastic thing with the holes the steam comes out. The only difference with the original pad is form but it works great. It does not mess with the water heating surface and you can refill those cotton pads with any oil you want. For the future, I'm going to buy cotton pads and oil separately. I prefer to use calendula and there is no pads or kits coming with calendula extract.
I read some of the one and two-star reviews and was a bit concerned about the steam output, but I found that this little contraption almost produces too much steam; just like a hot shower, it takes a minute to get acclimated to the heat. This evening I have completed two full treatments and have now regained the use of my nose.
My only issues with this device are that, for one, the little rubber feet were a little uneven (I fixed that). Secondly, the therapeutic disc included with this product seemed worthless (although that could be due to my congested nose).
However, this product does what it claims. So for that, it gets all five stars from me. If only I could find a way to get this to run on batteries and glue it to my face.
I originally got a personal steamer for my daughter's asthma 13 years ago. It really helped when she had taken multiple doses of her bronchial dilator and was shaking from the medication, but still having trouble breathing. The warm mist really helped.
Later I used it for treatment of sinus and upper respiratory bugs. Now there is all kinds of research on the benefits of warm steam therapy.
Our Vicks finally died after a long and helpful life, so I replaced it with one just like it. I couldn't find one in the stores and was relieved to find it on Amazon.
Two picky notes: the steam is a bit hard to adjust - you end up leaning in or out to control the steam as much as using the dial control. Also, you need to make sure you clean it after a few uses and DEFINITELY when you are putting it away for a while. Mine might still be working if I had done that.
first, you can easily burn yourself with this thing. when it is warmed up, putting your face all the way onto it *will* burn you. scalding your nostrils is no joke. it needs to have a longer stem portion or something. i'm surprised they aren't getting sued.
other than that, it works, but there are better options, for me at least. a small ultrasonic humidifier is about the same price and produces more, denser vapor that is easier to inhale as it is cool. it also holds more water and can be used generally as a humidifier for a room, where this one cannot as it holds only enough water for 10 minutes or so and it must be watched closely to ensure it hasn't run dry. it won't automatically shut off it just sits there cooking itself.
I love this product but at the same time I wish it was water proof and had temperature control. The outer shell is just plastic and a bit flimsy with no seals, making the cleanup process very difficult, especially when used with Eucalyptus oil (1-3 drops only!), so be careful and make sure that this inhaler dries before reusing it.
I would give this product 5 stars if it was water resistant or water proof, for cleanup purposes!
WARNING: ALWAYS use with water, as per instructions. This is a Steam Inhaler, after all. Adding a drop or two of your fav oil is benficial but using this device exclusively to boil other liquids and OIls, is very dangerous and can cause serious harm.
When I came home from Viet Nam I was very sick I remember Vicks was put on me and I was out for several days lifeless and wet with sweat. I hope this helps someone.
I was taking nasal B-12, for stuffed up nose, and a slight cold, but wasn't working that well. So I put a half of a dropper of Ener-B in the water,in the inhaler,
[...]
I couldn't believe the results, first off it cleared up my nose, and stopped the cold. I was over fatigued and depressed, well it really woke me up, and made me alive.
What B-12 does, is create more oxygen in the blood, which can make your mind move faster. Nasal B-12 can also Destroy the Flu & Cold Viruses [...].
I think this is a Great product, and is well made and designed. It has make me feel great, and the Price is Right!
When I saw this on Amazon I thought it would be perfect; small, light weight and I could really isolate the steam to my nasal area.
Well it doesn't produce enough steam for anything!! I don't know how any of the people who have reviewed the product were able to loosen congestion. It was a complete lack of money and now it is just stored under a cabinet somewhere.
If you are looking for a product that produces a lot of steam, then SKIP THIS ONE!!!
For years my eyes have felt like fresh sandpaper. My throat felt as tight as a fist. The sinus pressure resembled handfulls of cotton stuffed into my forehead. When I could no longer take it lying down I ordered this product out of desperation and so far after two weeks I can't understand why I didn't do it sooner.
Don't get me wrong. I understand that everyone's body is different and everyone's climate is unique but for myself my eyes at first contact to the steam, began to sting. They then felt smooth like the skin of fresh glass. My breathing became complete and my sinus' cleared like a spring day after a violent storm.
I may still move to warmer places in the world but if I do at least I'll have something to aid my allergy weary days when Spring begins to beat down my door like an unwelcomed mugger. This contraption didn't cure any of my ailments, but it allowed me to endure them with a splinter of ease and comfort.
The therapy keeps my nose and mouth relaxed, even in what I perceive to be extremely dry conditions.
I was concerned with the reviews that mentioned that the steam was extremely hot, but I haven't really experience that. As it shows in the box's illustration, your face is not supposed to be resting on the inhaler, but a little above it. Between that, and the steam control option, I've been perfectly fine :)
The only strange/weird thing I would list is the slightly plastic-y aroma of the steam, which I think comes from the top half of the inhaler. It doesn't bother me much, but as steam is supposed to be a clean way of clearing your air passages, it seems strange. Maybe it's because my steamer is still new and it'll go away with use, but just keep an eye out for it.
Would recommend this product!
Recommended.
This machine is easy to use but be warned that the steam it produces is VERY hot. Here are my suggestions for using this machine:
Place the steamer on a flat stable surface.
Fill the base with water, turn on the machine and let the water fully heat.
Slide the lever all the way to the right to allow for the greatest volume of steam.
Place a towel over your head. A clean kitchen towel works well for this.
Keep the towel over your head and place your face a few inches above the clear plastic hood. Because of the temperature of the steam, it is very important that you do not rest your face directly on the clear plastic hood
Let the towel drape over your head and over the plastic hood. This helps creates a tent to hold in the steam.
After using the steamer, rinse your face with cool water to close the blood vessels in your face.
I find that adding a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil directly onto the little inhalant disks (optional) really helps to clear my sinuses. Please note that the steam will cause your nose to run (this is what you want) so make sure that you keep your tissues handy.
Caution: Because of the heat of the steam, I would not recommend this product for use by children.
This little unit has been the one thing that has allowed me to catch a few breaths lately. I had been taking (along with the meds the doc gave me) Nyquil and Equate brand cough medicine. The liquid cough medicines did nothing to help me breathe and stop coughing. This steamer gave me the necessary relief so that I was now able to lie down and sleep for 2 hours straight!
I recall the web page saying it was multi voltage and therefore purchased it. Still, it took 10 minutes to decide on plugging it in. Another thing is that the item looks different from the picture identified. Logo is different and plastic quality on the mouth piece is less.
I am comparing this Inhaler to an earlier model of the Kaz steamer (Which actually was made in the US in 2004 - $150 US).
This newer model looks better and heats up quicker($30 US), so that is a plus. The cheapness is explained by those wonderful manufacturing people ruling the world right now in China. You dont need tanks. Just an undervalued currency it seems.
As usual, 'it's the little things that matter'. I like this steamer and it does what it should.
- Does not put out that much steam
- The rubber facial unit does not stay put
- Not easy to move around
- Easily leaks out water
- Potentially dangerous due to leaks and poor quality of plastic parts.
This is the second vicks vaporizer product I have bought and I will no longer buy their products. You would be far better off buying a good quality facial steamer where the water is completely contained, much easier to move around and where you can safely direct the steam where you need it.