Motion sickness in a car

Bends, braking and acceleration move the body while the visual field may not match what the balance organs feel. This can lead to nausea, dizziness, sweating, pale skin, headache and vomiting. Children may be especially unsettled when they look down at a book or screen during a journey.

If safe and appropriate, use the front passenger seat, keep the air circulating and look through the windscreen at a distant point. Keep your head still against the seat, take breaks when possible, and avoid screens, books, strong food smells and a very heavy meal. Small sips of water and light snacks may be easier to tolerate.

A pharmacist can explain medicines used to prevent travel sickness. They may make you sleepy or affect alertness. Check the advice before driving, and ask about use in children, pregnancy, older age, glaucoma, urinary problems or alongside other medicines.

Get urgent help if vomiting is severe, you cannot drink, you faint, become confused, develop a severe headache or notice weakness, speech trouble, chest pain, or a new hearing or vision problem. Speak with a clinician if dizziness remains once you are out of the car or occurs while you are still.

Ask which car seat is safest for the traveller’s age, whether a preventive medicine is appropriate, how early it should be taken, and how to manage symptoms if the journey is long or vomiting starts.