Travel health advice: motion sickness

Symptoms

Drowsiness. Cold sweats. Nausea and vomiting. Pallor and fainting.
Motion sickness affects many people, particularly children. Women are more commonly affected than men.

Prevention

• Lying horizontally.
• Keeping the head fixed with the eyes on the horizon.
• Avoid reading while travelling.
• Try distraction (e.g. games, toys, music).
• Avoid a stuffy or smoky atmosphere and the smell of food.

Medication

An anti-emetic may help. Some anti-emetics are available "over the counter". A doctors advice should be sought if the problem is severe.

Hyoscine patches may be useful for long journeys (e.g. at sea) in those over 10 years of age. they are normally applied to the skin every 3 days.

The above advice is appropriate for the majority of travellers. If you are at all unsure as to what measures are suitable for you, (eg if you are pregnant, or are suffering from a condition requiring special medication), it is recommended that you talk to your health advisor. This page is produced by the Scottish Centre for infection and Environmental Health.