Several strategies can help stop or ease vomiting, from sipping small amounts of fluid and pressing a specific point on your wrist to sniffing a rubbing alcohol pad for surprisingly fast relief. What works best depends on whether the vomiting is still active or you’re in the recovery phase afterward. Here’s what actually helps, starting with what you can do right now.
Sniff a Rubbing Alcohol Pad
One of the fastest ways to ease nausea and vomiting is also one of the least well-known: hold an isopropyl alcohol swab (the kind used to clean skin before injections) about an inch below your nose and inhale deeply. Nausea scores drop by roughly 50% within four minutes, and the effect is still noticeable at ten minutes. In clinical trials reviewed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, this simple trick reduced the need for anti-nausea medication by about a third and appeared to work faster than standard prescription options. You can repeat the sniffing as needed, though prolonged use over several hours hasn’t been studied. This method has not been evaluated for use during pregnancy or for chemotherapy-related nausea.
Start Fluids Slowly
Dehydration is the main risk when you’re vomiting, but drinking too much too fast will trigger another round. The goal is at least one ounce (about two tablespoons) per hour, taken in tiny sips. If you can’t keep sips down, try using a medicine syringe or teaspoon to get small amounts in at a time. For the first 24 hours, limiting solid food and focusing on fluids is a reasonable approach.
Plain water works in the short term, but if vomiting has gone on for more than a few hours, an oral rehydration solution replaces the sodium and glucose your body is losing. The WHO-recommended formula uses a 1:1 ratio of sodium to glucose, which takes advantage of how your gut absorbs water most efficiently. You can buy pre-made rehydration solutions at any pharmacy, or in a pinch, alternate sips of diluted juice with small bites of something salty like crackers.
Press the P6 Point on Your Wrist
Acupressure at a spot called P6 (or Neiguan) can take the edge off mild to moderate nausea. To find it, place three fingers flat across the inside of your opposite wrist, starting just below the crease where your hand meets your arm. Right below those three fingers, feel for the groove between the two large tendons running down your wrist. Press firmly with your thumb into that groove. It shouldn’t hurt. Hold for a few minutes, then switch wrists. Commercial “sea bands” work by applying constant pressure to this same point.
Try Ginger
Ginger contains compounds that block serotonin receptors in the gut, the same receptors targeted by prescription anti-nausea drugs. A systematic review of clinical trials found that taking up to 1 gram of ginger per day for more than four days reduced the odds of acute vomiting by 70% compared to placebo. That dosage is roughly half a teaspoon of ground ginger or a thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger steeped in hot water. Ginger tea, ginger chews, and ginger capsules are all reasonable options. The key is consistency over several days rather than a single large dose.
Use Slow, Deep Breathing
The vagus nerve connects your brain to your digestive system, and activating it can calm the vomiting reflex. The most accessible way to do this is slow diaphragmatic breathing: inhale as deeply as you can, hold for about five seconds, then exhale slowly. Repeat this rhythmically for a few minutes. Splashing cold water on your face or holding a cold pack against your cheeks and neck also stimulates the vagus nerve by triggering what’s called the dive reflex, which slows your heart rate and redirects your body’s resources away from the panic response that often accompanies nausea.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol) can help settle nausea and vomiting in adults and teenagers. It works by coating the stomach lining and reducing irritation. One important caution: do not give bismuth subsalicylate to children or teenagers who have or are recovering from the flu or chickenpox, because it contains a compound related to aspirin and carries a risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition.
If over-the-counter options aren’t enough, prescription anti-nausea medications work by blocking serotonin receptors in both the gut and the brain’s vomiting center. These are commonly prescribed for severe or persistent vomiting, and your doctor can determine whether one is appropriate based on the cause.
What to Eat During Recovery
The old advice to stick strictly to bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (the BRAT diet) is outdated. The American Academy of Pediatrics no longer recommends it because it lacks protein, calcium, vitamin B12, and fiber, and following it for more than 24 hours may actually slow recovery. A better approach: start with soft, bland foods when you feel ready, then return to your normal diet as soon as you can tolerate it. Avoiding greasy, spicy, or heavily seasoned foods for the first day or two makes sense, but there’s no need to restrict yourself to four specific items.
Warning Signs That Need Urgent Care
Most vomiting from a stomach bug or food issue resolves within a day or two. But certain patterns signal something more serious. Seek emergency care if you notice:
- Blood or bile (green/yellow fluid) in the vomit
- Severe abdominal pain or a visibly swollen, tender abdomen
- Projectile vomiting, especially in infants
- High fever alongside the vomiting
- Stiff neck or sensitivity to light, which can indicate meningitis
- Signs of significant dehydration: sunken eyes, dry mouth, rapid or weak pulse, cold hands and feet, or unusual drowsiness
In children, a simple way to gauge dehydration is to count wet diapers or bathroom trips. Fewer than usual is a sign to get help. For both adults and children, vomiting that continues beyond a week or prevents you from keeping any fluids down for more than 12 hours warrants medical attention.