Is this your child's symptom?
- Dizziness or nausea from spinning or rolling motions
Symptoms of Motion Sickness
- Dizziness and unsteady walking
- Nausea and vomiting are also common
- Before age 6, the main symptom is dizziness and the need to lie down.
- After age 12, the main symptom is nausea (feeling sick to the stomach).
Causes of Motion Sickness
- Symptoms are mainly triggered by motion. Sea sickness or amusem*nt park sickness are the most common types. Fun-park rides that spin or whirl are some of the main causes. The Tilt-a-whirl is a good example of a ride to avoid. Also seen during travel by train, aircraft and even car.
- The cause is a sensitive center in the inner ear. This center helps to maintain balance.
- As a car passenger driving on winding roads, 25% of people will have symptoms. Under extreme conditions (e.g., high seas) over 90% of people have symptoms.
- Strongly genetic: If one parent has it, 50% of the children will have it.
- It is not related to emotional problems. The child cannot control it with will power.
- Motion sickness symptoms are often worse in children.
When to Call for Motion Sickness
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
- Your child looks or acts very sick
- You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- Motion sickness symptoms last more than 8 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home
Seattle Children's Urgent Care Locations
If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.
Care Advice for Motion Sickness
- What You Should Know About Motion Sickness:
- Motion sickness is a common normal reaction that occurs in 25% of people.
- Caused by increased sensitivity of the inner ear.
- It is not related to emotional problems or any physical disease.
- In the future, take a special medicine ahead of time to prevent it.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
- Rest - Lie Down:
- Have your child lie down and rest. If your child goes to sleep, all the better.
- Fluids - Offer Sips:
- Give only sips of clear fluids. Water is best. Do this until the stomach settles down.
- Vomiting:
- Prepare for vomiting. Keep a vomiting pan handy.
- Usually, children don't vomit more than once with motion sickness.
- What to Expect:
- All symptoms of motion sickness usually go away in 4 hours after stopping the motion.
- As for the future, people usually don't outgrow motion sickness. Sometimes, it becomes less severe in adults.
- Motion Sickness Medicine - Dramamine:
- Buy some dimenhydrinate tablets (such as Dramamine) at your drug store. No prescription is needed. In the future, give it to prevent motion sickness.
- It comes in 50 mg regular and chewable tablets or in 25 mg Kids chewable tablets.
- Dosage by age: do not use under age 2.
- 2 to 5 years (12.5 mg): ½ Kids chewable
- 6 to 11 years (25 mg): 1 Kids chewable
- 12 and older (50 mg): 1 regular tablet or chewable
- Give the medicine 1 hour before traveling or going to a fun-park.
- The tablets give 6 hours of protection and are very helpful.
- Benadryl can also be used to prevent motion sickness. Use this if you do not have any Dramamine.
- Prevention Tips for Car Trips:
- If your child is over 12 years old, sit him in the front seat.
- Before age 12, have your child sit in the middle back seat. This should help him look out the front window.
- Have your child look out the front window, not the side one.
- Discourage looking at books or movies during car travel.
- Keep a window cracked to provide fresh air.
- Avoid exhaust fumes from other vehicles.
- Meals: Have your child eat light meals before trips. Some children can just tolerate crackers and water.
- Plastic Bags: Always carry a ziplock plastic bag for vomiting emergencies.
- Wrist Bands - Prevention:
- Acupressure bands (such as Sea-Bands) are helpful for some adults.
- There is no reason they shouldn't work for some children.
- Put them on before car trips or other causes of motion sickness.
- The pressure button goes over the center of the wrist. Place ½ inch (1 cm) above the wrist crease.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- Any symptoms last over 8 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.
Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.
Last Reviewed: 10/11/2023
Last Revised: 12/30/2022
Copyright 2000-2023. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.
FAQs
Antihistamines: You may take an antihistamine for allergies, but they can also prevent motion sickness and ease symptoms. Dramamine® (dimenhydrinate) is an example of an antihistamine that may prevent motion sickness. But remember to use an antihistamine that causes drowsiness. Nondrowsy formulas won't help.
How to pass motion sickness? ›
If you're susceptible to motion sickness:
- Focus on the horizon or on a distant, stationary object. ...
- Keep your head still, while resting against a seat back.
- Don't smoke and don't sit near smokers.
- Avoid strong odors, spicy and greasy foods, and alcohol.
- Take an antihistamine, which you can buy without a prescription.
That said, many studies show that as a whole, Dramamine is more effective at preventing motion sickness, though it is less convenient given the dosing. Another option is scopolamine, which is commonly known as the round patch placed behind one's ear.
How to stop motion sickness immediately? ›
Tips for immediate relief
- Take control. If you're a passenger, consider taking the wheel of the vehicle. ...
- Face the direction you're going. ...
- Keep your eyes on the horizon. ...
- Change positions. ...
- Get some air (fan or outdoors) ...
- Nibble on crackers. ...
- Drink some water or a carbonated beverage. ...
- Distract with music or conversation.
Nutrition and Dietary Supplements
- Avoid spicy, greasy, or fatty meals.
- DO NOT overeat before traveling.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Dry crackers and carbonated sodas (such as ginger ale) help some people avoid nausea.
- People who tend to have motion sickness may want to eat small, frequent meals.
Some research suggests that doing physical or mental exercises could help humans train themselves to be less motion sick. The Puma Method, developed by a flight surgeon to serve airsick pilots, uses yoga-like stretches and angular movements to build up anti-nausea conditioning.
What drink helps motion sickness? ›
Drink co*ke or Pepsi. These two drinks help reduce the chances of getting sick because they contain phosphoric acid, which is an ingredient in Emetrol, a drug to control vomiting.
Does chewing gum help motion sickness? ›
A simple method for relieving common and mild car sickness is chewing. Chewing gum has an uncanny effectiveness for reducing car sickness in those affected. A variety of chewing gum is available for purchase online.
How to not get seasick? ›
Drink water, low-acidity juices like apple and carrot, or clear soup, and avoid milk and coffee. Keep moving. Most people find that being busy keeps their minds off their discomfort. Stay on deck, even if it's raining, because the fresh air is often enough to speed recovery.
Why won't my motion sickness go away? ›
If feelings of illness do not go away after the motion stops, your symptoms could be due to another condition. See your healthcare provider if you have motion sickness symptoms that last longer than eight hours.
If you feel motion sick, here are seven ways to feel better right away.
- Stop what you're doing. If you can stop the car or get off the ride, do it! ...
- Change your position. ...
- Quiet your senses. ...
- Put on a scopolamine patch. ...
- Take an antihistamine. ...
- Eat ginger (or ginger candy) ...
- Put on an acupressure bracelet.
The western classics recommended therapeutic measures like fasting or specific diets, pleasant fragrancies, medicinal plants like white hellebore (containing various alkaloids), or a mixture of wine and wormwood.
What pill do you take so you don't get seasick? ›
According to many of our guests, some of the best seasickness tablets for a cruise include Dramamine or Bonine. These medications can be taken before nausea arises to help lessen the severity. They may also be taken to ease the feeling of sickness as it occurs. Be aware that these may cause drowsiness in some guests.
Do motion sickness bands work? ›
The efficacy of wrist bands for motion sickness is still unclear. Some scientific research studies have investigated whether acupressure helps with nausea and vomiting. More research is needed to understand if using wrist bands for nausea is as effective as standard anti-nausea drugs.
Why do I get motion sick so easily? ›
Medications or illness
If you have sinus congestion or a sinus or ear infection or have recently had a concussion, you may be more prone to motion sickness. People who get migraines are also more likely to get motion sickness.
How do I stop feeling sick and motion sickness? ›
How is motion sickness treated and prevented?
- Look out of the window, and focus on the horizon instead of looking at a book or a screen.
- Try to sit or lie still and rest your head on a pillow or headrest.
- Sit close to the front of a car, bus or train.
- If flying, sit still and close your eyes during take-off and landing.
What to Expect: All symptoms of motion sickness usually go away in 4 hours after stopping the motion. As for the future, people usually don't outgrow motion sickness. Sometimes, it becomes less severe in adults.
