Calpol Medicine

(Please note that this review is about a product of CALPOL and not Calpol the medicine. Calpol is the brand name and this is an over the counter medicine, which is why the review is posted in this category. Thanks.)

My son is prone to colds. He always has been, and this was a huge problem when he was a baby. That was, until I discovered Calrub.

Calrub comes from the makers of Calpol, and is a eucolyptus waqrming gel similar to Vicks Vaporub. It is specially formulated for young children and can be used for babies from the age of six months.

**Packaging**

Calrub comes in a 50ml squeezy tube. The familiar purples of the Calpol brand are on the top, giving way to light greens and a picture of a child on the bottom. The name and the suitable age group is clearly stated on the front. The back shows the other information required by parents. The tube has a flip lid, and the gel is initially protected by a tamper-proof seal.

**The Gel**

The gel is white and looks very much like Vaseline. It has a distinct eucolyptus and menthol scent which you get as soon as you remove the tamper-proof seal. The packaging states that the rub is non greasy and will not stain.

**The Warnings**

There is obviously some things you do not do with any medicines, and these are clearly shown on the back of the tube.
Keep out of reach of children
Do not apply to face or nostrils or broken skin
Avoid contact with eyes
For external use only
Not suitable for children under 6 months

**The Instructions**

Apply a moderate amount of Calrub to the chest, back and throat area. For use at night, loosen bedclothes to allow vapours to escape.

**The Price**

A 50 ml tube of calrub costs £2.99, although you may find that prices vary from place to place.

**Overall Verdict**

Having had my tube of calrub for a year now, I cannot recommend it enough. You don't need to use a lot of the rub, and it doesn't need to be applied often. It is easy to use, the lid opens easily and the squeezy tube allows you to get just the right amount out.

Both my kids have sensitive skin. I used Vicks on them but found it really stung their skin, and ended with them crying and feeling worse. The Calrub does not affect their skin, it simply gives off the glorious scent of eucolyptus and clears their cold quickly.

The rub has never marked or stained any bedclothes, vests or items of clothing. It rubs into the skin quickly and is not at all greasy. It also has no effect on my daughters eczema.

My kids no longer suffer restless nights when they have a cold, and snoring is banished too. An application of this at night makes the world of difference. And another one in the morning clears blocked noses for the day too. A cold lasts no time at all in our house now, and I can suffer it a lot better given that I get to sleep at night now too.

I wouldn't recommend this for use on adults or older children. The smell disappears quite quickly, and the scent isn't strong enough to benefit an adult. But for younger children and babies, its a miracle cure.