Vomiting is your body’s way of reacting to something it doesn’t like, and it is most often accompanied by nausea, the feeling that lets you know you’re going to throw up. More common in childhood, most vomiting occurs because of viral gastroenteritis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Other triggers include an underlying medical disorder, a reaction to medication or food, a migraine headache or motion sickness.
Children Home Remedies
For infants younger than six months of age, offer up to ½ oz. of an over-the-counter electrolyte solution, available in the baby formula aisle of your grocery store, every 15 or 20 minutes. Withhold formula and breast milk until the vomiting ceases, advises the website, Kids Health. Call your doctor immediately if an infant under one month of age vomits. For older children, offer up to 2 tbl. of clear liquids every 15 minutes.
Avoid giving the child milk, which may prolong the vomiting. Call your doctor for advice before using home remedies to treat a child's vomiting.
Adult Home Remedies
Lying down may help if motion sickness or food poisoning is the cause of vomiting. Sip on clear liquids to prevent dehydration, suggests the website, Family Doctor. Suck on ice chips if you can’t tolerate drinking liquids and place a cool wet washcloth on your face or forehead. Get comfortable and rest. Skip solid foods except for a nibble on an occasional saltine cracker or small piece of dry toast.
Dehydration
Staying hydrated is the biggest concern during a vomiting episode. Sipping clear soup broths or herbal teas will replace fluids and some teas may ease nausea. Try steeping grated ginger in a cup of boiling water, or add a pinch of powdered ginger to hot water. Signs of dehydration include a dry mouth, reduced tears, fewer wet diapers than normal, sunken eyes, weakness dry or wrinkled skin and rapid breathing. Call a doctor immediately if signs of dehydration are present.
After the Vomiting
After eight hours without vomiting, offer solid foods gradually. Family Doctor recommends the BRAT diet, consisting of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. These foods are bland and less likely to trigger a recurring vomiting episode. Eat small food portions for the first 24 hours after vomiting subsides. You may also add clear soups and boiled potatoes to the menu, but avoid fatty foods and dairy products during this time.
Warnings
Some vomiting may be the result of an underlying condition or a serious injury. Call your doctor if fever accompanies vomiting or if vomiting starts after a head injury. Other potentially serious conditions include recurring vomiting after beginning solid food, forceful vomiting in an infant, green or yellow vomit, severe abdominal pain or blood in the vomit. Call your doctor before using home remedies to treat vomiting.
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