There are many remedies to help you through the occasional bout of motion sickness. Here are our favorites...
Prevention
- Mint – Mint tea, peppermints. Mint is a natural anti-nausea agent.
- Ginger – Ginger snaps, ginger tea. (not ginger ale – it does not actually have ginger in it) Ginger is one of the best natural anti-nausea remedies available
- Crackers – Saltines, Club crackers – something simple and plain to calm the stomach.
- Watch the horizon
- On a boat keep eyes focused on where the sky meets the water.
- In a car have your child in the middle of the back row where s/he can see through the front window easily.
- Avoid reading in the car
- Seabands – Wristbands that have a plastic/metal button to put pressure on an acupressure anti-nausea pressure point on each wrist.
- Breath through the mouth (not nose)
- Queasy Pops – lollipops
- Cold packs to forehead and back of neck.
Medications for prevention - Benadryl OR Dramamine
Benadryl 30-60 minutes before departure (this may cause drowsiness)
(see medication dosing page). Do not take with Dramamine.
Dramamine – Do not use in children less than 2 years of age. Side effects include dizziness, drowsiness and blurred vision. Take 30-60 minutes prior to departure. Do not take with Benadryl
Dramanine Tablets:
Adults and children 12 years of age and over:
- 50 to 100 mg (1-2 tablets) every 4-6 hours
Children 6-11 years of age:
- 25 to 50 mg (1/2 to 1 tablet) every 8-12 hours
Children 2-5 years of age:
- 12.5 to 25 mg (1/4 – 1/2 tablet) every 8-12 hours
Dramamine Liquid (12.5mg/5ml)
Children 6-11 years of age:
- 10-15 mL (2-3 tsp) every 8-12 hours Children 2 to under 6 years of age:
- 5-7.5 mL (1- 1 1/2 tsp) every 8-12 hours
And just in case this all fails, bring wet wipes, Ziploc bags, a change of clothes for everyone (two changes for your motion sick child), bottles of water and lots of patience.
-Monique Araya, MD, FAAP
