After you throw up, the most important things are to protect your teeth, replace lost fluids slowly, and rest your stomach before eating again. Most vomiting episodes resolve on their own within 12 to 24 hours, but how you handle the first few hours makes a real difference in how quickly you recover.
Right After You Vomit
Your first instinct will probably be to brush your teeth. Don’t, at least not yet. Stomach acid coats your enamel when you vomit, and brushing within the first 30 minutes spreads that acid across a larger surface area, wearing down more enamel than the vomiting itself would have. Instead, rinse your mouth with plain water or a mix of water and a teaspoon of baking soda to neutralize the acid. Spit it out, wait at least 30 minutes, and then brush gently.
If you’re still feeling waves of nausea, sit upright or lie on your side rather than flat on your back. Staying upright helps keep stomach contents down and reduces the chance of vomiting again. Take slow, deep breaths through your nose. Cool, fresh air can help too, so crack a window if you can.
How to Start Drinking Fluids Again
Dehydration is the biggest practical risk from vomiting, especially if it happens more than once. But gulping a full glass of water right away will likely make you throw up again. The goal is small, frequent sips: aim for at least one ounce (about two tablespoons) per hour at first, taken a few sips at a time every few minutes. Once you can keep that down for an hour or two, gradually increase the amount.
Water works, but you’re also losing electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and other minerals your body needs to function). Oral rehydration solutions, sports drinks diluted with water, or clear broth all help replace what you’ve lost. Avoid anything carbonated, caffeinated, or very sugary, as these can irritate your stomach or pull more water into your intestines, making things worse. Popsicles and ice chips are good alternatives if even sipping feels like too much.
When to Try Eating
There’s no rush. Wait until you’ve been keeping fluids down comfortably for a few hours before trying solid food. When you do start, keep it bland and small. Crackers, plain toast, white rice, bananas, and applesauce are easy on your stomach. Avoid greasy, spicy, or dairy-heavy foods for at least 24 hours.
If eating triggers another round of vomiting, go back to fluids only and try again later. Your stomach lining is irritated, and it needs time. Most people can return to a normal diet within one to two days.
Over-the-Counter Options for Nausea
If nausea lingers and you want some relief, a few types of medication can help. Antihistamine-based options like dimenhydrinate (sold as Dramamine) and meclizine (sold as Bonine) are available without a prescription and work by calming the signals between your inner ear and your brain’s nausea center. They’re most effective for nausea caused by motion sickness or vertigo, but they can take the edge off general queasiness too. The main side effect is drowsiness, which may actually be welcome if you’re trying to sleep it off.
Bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol) can help settle an upset stomach, particularly if your vomiting is related to food irritation or a stomach bug. It coats and soothes the stomach lining. Avoid it if you’re allergic to aspirin, since the two are chemically related.
Cleaning Up to Prevent Spread
If your vomiting is caused by a stomach virus like norovirus, the cleanup matters as much as the recovery. Norovirus is extremely contagious and can survive on surfaces for days. Regular household cleaners often aren’t strong enough to kill it.
Use a bleach solution: 5 to 25 tablespoons of standard household bleach (5% to 8% concentration) per gallon of water. Wipe down any surfaces the vomit touched, including toilet handles, faucets, and nearby counters. Leave the bleach solution on the surface for at least five minutes before wiping it away. Wash any contaminated clothing or towels separately on the hottest setting your machine allows. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterward. Hand sanitizer is less effective against norovirus than actual handwashing.
Signs You Need Medical Attention
Most vomiting runs its course without any intervention. But certain patterns signal something more serious. Call a doctor or go to urgent care if you can’t keep any fluids down at all over several hours, if vomiting continues beyond 24 hours, or if you notice blood in your vomit (it may look red or dark brown, like coffee grounds).
Watch for signs of dehydration: dark yellow urine, dry mouth, dizziness when standing, or unusual confusion or sleepiness. A fever above 102°F (39°C) alongside vomiting also warrants a call to your doctor, as it may point to an infection that needs treatment. Black or bloody stool is another red flag that something beyond a simple stomach bug is going on.
For children, dehydration develops faster than in adults. If a child is producing fewer wet diapers than usual, crying without tears, or seems unusually drowsy or irritable, those are signs they need professional evaluation sooner rather than later.