Summer is the perfect time for family vacations and road trips, but car sickness can quickly put a damper on road travel.
To avoid feeling sick while riding in the car, try these tips.
- Eat smart. Consuming greasy or heavy food during a car trip may increase queasiness in your stomach.
- Enjoy the scenery. Reading a book or playing video games can sometimes increase the intensity of motion sickness, so take a break from these activities to enjoy the view through the window.
- Face the front. Always sit where you can easily face the front of the vehicle. Looking out through the windshield may reduce motion sickness.
- Go natural. Some natural oils may be useful in easing the symptoms of motion sickness. Try putting lavender oil—which has a calming fragrance—behind your ears. Rubbing peppermint oil on your chest or stomach may also help soothe symptoms.
- Take over-the-counter remedies. Taking antihistamine medications, such as Dramamine®, or using a scopolamine skin patch that releases medication through the skin can help prevent symptoms altogether.
First Aid on the Go
While you travel this summer, having a first-aid kit handy in case of emergencies can help provide a quicker return to activities. Start with these basics to build the ideal first-aid kit for summer.
Bandages, band-aids, and antibacterial cream should be included in any basic first-aid kit, as the most common summer injuries include sprains, strains, and fractures. However, depending on your chosen activities, you may find the following items beneficial as well.
- Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine®)—Take this over-the-counter medication about 30 minutes before traveling to reduce the effects of motion sickness.
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®)—Benadryl is useful in decreasing seasonal and food allergy symptoms. For highly allergic individuals, prescribed EpiPens® are also important to include.
- Ibuprofen—This painkiller can reduce pain and fever while decreasing inflammation.
- Insect repellent—Recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute for Occupational Safety, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, insect repellent containing at least 30 percent DEET offers eight hours of insect protection.
- Loperamide (Imodium®)—While some medications take several hours to set in, Imodium can stop diarrhea symptoms within 30 minutes.
- Sunscreen—Choose products with at least 30 SPF to protect against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.
“Always remember that putting safety first is a simple matter of practicality,” says David Bauer, MD, Chief of Emergency Medicine at Crittenton. “Unnecessary injuries or those not treated with simple first aid cause undue loss of time and discomfort, neither of which is appealing on a beautiful summer day.”
For information about emergency care at Crittenton Hospital Medical Center, visit
www.crittenton.com.
