Red flags & when to go in person for Motion Sickness in Children

Audience: pediatric

Motion sickness is a common condition that can affect children during travel by car, boat, plane, or other moving vehicles. It often causes symptoms like nausea, dizziness, sweating, and vomiting. Most cases are mild and improve with rest and simple remedies. However, some signs mean your child needs to see a healthcare provider in person. This guide helps parents and caregivers understand when to seek urgent care and what symptoms to watch for. Telemedicine can support initial advice and management for motion sickness but cannot replace in-person evaluation in serious situations. Knowing the red flags and appropriate care steps helps keep your child safe and comfortable during travel.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Persistent vomiting for more than 24 hours leading to dehydration — seek urgent medical care.
• Severe dizziness, loss of balance, or difficulty walking — go to an emergency facility immediately.
• Confusion, difficulty waking, or unusual behavior changes — urgent in-person evaluation needed.

What telemedicine can do

• Providing advice on motion sickness prevention and home care.
• Assessing mild symptoms and recommending hydration and rest.
• Guidance on safe use of over-the-counter remedies appropriate for children.
• Follow-up questions about symptom progression or management.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Evaluating severe symptoms such as dehydration or neurological changes.
• Diagnosing underlying causes of severe or persistent vomiting.
• Managing emergency situations requiring physical examination or interventions.
• Administering treatments that require in-person care or monitoring.

What is Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness happens when the brain receives mixed signals from the eyes, inner ears, and body about movement. This mismatch can cause nausea, dizziness, sweating, and vomiting. Children are often more sensitive to motion sickness than adults, especially during car rides, boat trips, or flights. Symptoms usually start during travel and go away after stopping the movement.

Common Symptoms in Children

Typical signs of motion sickness include:

These symptoms often improve with fresh air, rest, and avoiding heavy meals before travel.

When to Use Telemedicine for Motion Sickness

Telemedicine can help if your child has mild symptoms of motion sickness. A healthcare provider can offer advice on:

Telemedicine is useful for follow-up questions or if symptoms are not severe.

Red Flags: When to Go In Person

Seek in-person medical care immediately if your child has:

These signs may indicate a more serious condition needing urgent evaluation.

Preventing Motion Sickness in Children

To help prevent motion sickness:

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Have a list of your child's symptoms and when they started.
• Note any medications or remedies already given.
• Be ready to describe your child's hydration status (urine output, thirst).
• Have a quiet, well-lit space for the tele-visit.
• Prepare questions about prevention and symptom management.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the healthcare provider's advice on hydration and rest.
• Monitor your child's symptoms closely for any worsening signs.
• Use recommended remedies carefully and as directed.
• Seek in-person care if red flag symptoms develop.
• Schedule follow-up if symptoms persist beyond a few days.

FAQs

What causes motion sickness in children?

Motion sickness happens when the brain gets mixed signals about movement from the eyes, inner ears, and body. This mismatch can cause nausea, dizziness, and vomiting, especially during travel in cars, boats, or planes.

Can motion sickness be prevented?

Yes, some steps can help prevent motion sickness, like looking at the horizon during travel, avoiding heavy meals before trips, keeping fresh air flowing, and taking breaks during long journeys. Sometimes, healthcare providers may recommend safe medications.

When should I take my child to see a doctor in person?

If your child has persistent vomiting for more than a day, severe dizziness or balance problems, confusion, signs of dehydration, or a high fever with symptoms, you should seek in-person medical care promptly.

Are there safe medicines for motion sickness in children?

Some over-the-counter medicines may be safe for children, but it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider before giving any medicine. Dosage and age recommendations vary, and some children may have side effects.

Can telemedicine help with motion sickness?

Telemedicine can provide advice on preventing and managing mild motion sickness symptoms. However, it cannot replace in-person evaluation if your child has severe or concerning symptoms.

Sources

1. Motion Sickness — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Motion Sickness in Children — American Academy of Pediatrics.
3. Motion Sickness — Mayo Clinic.
4. Nausea and Vomiting in Children — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This information is for education and triage only and is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment. If your child has severe or worsening symptoms, seek in-person medical care promptly.