Warning of motion sickness patches causing mental disorders for young children

A 9-year-old patient in Ho Chi Minh City went to the hospital because of panic, mental disorder, slurred speech, hallucinations, and sleeping after using a motion sickness sticker.

Doctor Truong Huu Khanh, Head of Infection - Neurology, Children's Hospital 1 said these symptoms are quite similar to encephalitis. In many cases, parents take children to cure many encephalitis before discovering the culprit is due to motion sickness patch. Two weeks ago, a 4-year-old was admitted to the hospital with a similar expression due to the use of the patch after the tour.

Anti-motion sickness sticker.

According to Dr. Khanh, the motion sickness patch contains scopolamine, which is a nervous system stimulant. Scopolamine is known as the "devil's breath," a drug that has a strong impact on the central nervous system. Every year, the Children's Hospital 1 receives about 10 children poisoning the active ingredient scopolamine in the patch, often in the summer when children go away. Children enter the hospital when they are in a coma. In many places, children admitted to hospital when the patch is removed, inexperienced doctors may misdiagnose encephalitis.

At pharmacies, motion sickness patches are bought quite easily for about 10,000-15,000, used to stick behind the ears 1-4 hours before taking the train to prevent dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. . A drug seller in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, said he could use this patch for children but only use 1/2 pieces. Adult dosage is one piece in 72 hours. Particularly children 8-15 years and adults weighing 40 kg only use 1/2 piece.

It is recommended not to use it on children under 8 years of age but according to Dr. Khanh, it should be contraindicated for children under 12 years old. Many 9-10 year olds have to be hospitalized for side effects after use. Parents who detect a child with abnormal signs after using the patch need to be hospitalized immediately and make a clear statement to the doctor about their use.

It is recommended not to use it on children under 8 years of age but according to Dr. Khanh, it should be contraindicated for children under 12 years old.(Photo: Le Phuong).

Tips against motion sickness without medication

The doctor advises parents to pay attention to children with motion sickness , before they need to eat something, but should not eat fat. Encourage your child to look outside the car, try to focus on something that stands still, as far as possible as a point on the horizon. Do not look at moving objects like other cars. Do not let children read books while the car is moving. If your child is tired from car sickness, create a quiet space, do not complain, let him take a walk to breathe fresh air while getting off. Children often need to have containers, wet towels, towels and clothes instead.

Mr. Dinh Cong Bay, a physician, said that people who often get drunk and pick up their cars when departing for about 30 minutes should use a piece of fresh ginger with the thumb size, peel them off, wash, crush or chew and drink with a cup of water warm. During the journey, sometimes a small slice of ginger should be kept in the mouth. Those who have a chance of getting seasick should regularly use some dishes such as tea, cooked with tangerine or white chrysanthemum, soaked in boiling water after a meal, mushroom ear fungus cook soup with lean meat . and practice reasonable exercises.