There are a lot of questionable home remedies floating around online these days. Still, this viral video making the rounds might be one of the clearest examples yet of why people should think twice before trying random internet “life hacks.”
The clip shows a man with severe burns across his face claiming he suffered the injuries after mixing Vicks VapoRub with hot water and heating it in a microwave. The video includes close-up shots of blistered, reddened skin around his eyes, nose, and mouth, along with repeated warnings telling viewers not to recreate what happened.
And after watching it, that warning feels very justified.
The idea behind it seems to come from a common internet myth that heating Vicks creates stronger menthol vapors that can help clear congestion. But according to the product’s safety warnings, Vicks VapoRub should never be microwaved, boiled, or heated directly.
The reasons are pretty serious.
Heating petroleum-based ointments can cause dangerous splattering and release superheated vapors capable of causing thermal and chemical burns. Medical professionals have documented similar injuries in past cases involving heated menthol products and steam inhalation attempts gone wrong.
What makes the video especially unsettling is how easy it is to imagine someone believing this was harmless. Mixing steam and menthol sounds relatively innocent on paper, especially when people are desperately trying to deal with congestion or sinus pressure. But once microwaves and heated ointments get involved, things can escalate quickly.
And unlike a minor kitchen mistake, facial burns are no joke.
The skin around the eyes, nose, and mouth is extremely sensitive, and injuries in those areas can become severe very quickly. Watching the aftermath in the video is enough to understand why manufacturers explicitly warn against heating these products in any form.
The bigger issue here is how fast unsafe DIY remedies spread online. Social media has made it incredibly easy for questionable advice to circulate without context, especially when something is presented as a “quick fix” or “secret trick.” By the time accurate information catches up, thousands of people may already have tried it.
