Medical experts have cautioned Nigerians against inhaling or ingesting petrol, kerosene and other harmful substances to manage motion sickness, warning that the practice could damage the lungs, cause pneumonia, irritate the airway, and affect the brain and kidneys.
They noted that motion sickness, a common condition during travel, occurs when the inner ear senses movement while the eyes perceive a still environment, creating a mismatch that triggers symptoms such as nausea, dizziness and vomiting.
The experts said the condition can be safely managed with simple preventive measures and approved medications rather than unsafe local remedies.
They added that the condition, though uncomfortable, is not life-threatening and occurs due to a mismatch between signals received by the eyes and the inner ear.
In interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, the experts noted that the condition is more common in females than males and tends to peak among individuals aged 15 to 50.
They further noted that while motion sickness is both preventable and treatable through a combination of behavioural measures and medications, awareness of safe and effective management options remains low, leaving many people to resort to ineffective and potentially harmful remedies.
They called for increased public education, urging Nigerians to consult qualified medical practitioners and adopt evidence-based strategies, adding that prompt medical attention is necessary when symptoms become severe or persistent.
Findings showed that some Nigerians resort to unsafe remedies such as swallowing small quantities of petrol, applying it to the face, putting gravel in the mouth while in motion, chewing bitter kola, or taping bay leaves to the navel.
Speaking in an interview with PUNCH Healthwise, a doctor of Internal Medicine, Dr Ebenezer Popoola, described motion sickness as a frequent complaint among travellers, particularly those using cars or boats.
“When it comes to motion sickness, it is the most common issue that people have when they are in motion, especially those on a ship or riding in a car. It is very common. It occurs more in females than in males, and while children under three can have it, it is more common between the ages of 15 and 50. As people grow older, especially above 50, it becomes less frequent.
“It happens when there is a disparity between the inner ear sensing motion and the eyes seeing something static. For example, if you are in a moving car, your inner ear detects motion, but if you are looking at your phone or reading a book, your eyes perceive that you are not moving. That mismatch is what causes the symptoms,” he said.
On management, Popoola emphasised that prevention remains the most effective approach, highlighting simple measures that could help reduce symptoms.
“One of the things you can do is to sit in front of the car, where you can see a wider view of the horizon. This helps the brain align what the eyes are seeing with what the body is sensing. Bringing down the windows to allow fresh air and stopping intermittently to step out and walk around can reduce the symptoms. Some people also find relief by chewing gum or taking ginger.
“There are medications that can be used, including patches placed on the skin that release the drug gradually into the body. But when people start using kerosene, petrol or diesel, it is not safe. These substances can cause a lot of adverse effects. They can damage the lungs, cause pneumonia, affect the airway and even erode the trachea. They can also affect the brain and kidneys and lead to infections. These are dangerous practices that should be avoided,” he warned.
Also speaking, a public health physician, Dr Tuyi Mebawondu, further explained that motion sickness results from a breakdown in how the body processes movement signals.
“Every day, the balance of the body is maintained by the senses, especially the fluid in the inner ear, the eyes and muscle tone, all coordinated by the brain. Motion sickness results when the brain receives conflicting signals about movement from your eyes, inner ear and body.
“While the inner ear senses movement, the eyes may see a relatively still environment. For example, if you are in a moving car, the inner ear senses the movement, but your brain sees the stillness inside the car, leading to a mismatch and confusion. This confusion produces symptoms like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating, headache, fatigue, pale skin and fainting,” he said.
Mebawondu noted that the condition is treatable and can be managed through both non-medical and medical approaches.
“Positioning and comfortable seating are important. Avoid moving the head unnecessarily and fix your gaze ahead. Avoid fatigue and ensure you sleep well. Take in fresh air and space your meals away from journeys.
“Medications like antihistamines can help reduce symptoms of motion sickness. However, warning signs such as worsening symptoms, blurred vision and severe headache require further medical evaluation,” he added.
The physician also warned strongly against the use of petroleum products, stressing that they pose significant health risks.
“Kerosene and petrol are irritants to the respiratory and digestive systems. They must not be used to prevent any illness. Kerosene, in particular, can induce vomiting and cause harmful reactions in the body,” he cautioned.
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