What Is In My IBS Flare Box?

By Elizabeth Alvarez

2 min read

When going through a bad IBS flare, it’s important that you have a flare box. What do I mean by this? It’s a box or any container that contains self-care items to help make you feel more comfortable throughout the flare. It is so helpful to have tools that offer comfort while sick. Not only does it make being sick not as bad, but it allows your body to feel some relief during the bad times.

Here are some examples of what I have in my flare box:

1. Fuzzy, warm socks

I always run cold as I have been struggling with anemia lately. When I am unwell, and in an IBS flare, I always grab warm, fuzzy socks to stay warm and comfortable. When they are fuzzy and thick, you just feel more at home.

2. Epsom salt

This is a great tool I use, whether I am dealing with fatigue, bum soreness, or just need to relax and improve mental health. I pour Epsom salt into a warm bath and soak it in for about 20 minutes. This alleviates any achiness and also improves my sleep.

3. Essential oils

Essential oils are so therapeutic. I buy high-quality essential oils that truly always improve my symptoms. Peppermint oil is an oil I use almost every day, especially if I am flaring. It relieves my nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting. Literally, anything I feel is wrong with my digestion, this oil alleviates. I also diffuse oils whenever I nap because they offer a calm and spa-like atmosphere.

4. Relaxing playlist

Music is healing and therapeutic. Whenever I am flaring, sometimes I turn on soothing classical music, and it makes me feel better. I have even been known to fall asleep to such music, which is needed when feeling unwell.

5. Warm blanket

I have a weighted blanket that I received as a gift over a year ago. I am inseparable from it when at home. It improves my sleep, and even if I am just on the couch watching tv, having it over my body is soothing. I highly recommend trying a weighted blanket!

6. Non-irritating baby wipes

Baby wipes are essential when enduring an IBS flare. Let’s face it, we have multiple bowel movements and constantly wiping. I use a brand that works for me and does not irritate my bum, and I make sure I have plenty to last. Just as a little pro tip, something that is even better than using wipes is installing a bidet to your toilet. You can purchase one online, and they are not expensive. It is the best thing I have ever done!

7. Good toilet paper

Toilet paper is not made equal. Please don’t use single-ply when enduring a flare. That is just torture. Get the good, thick, plush paper to help keep your bum from getting irritated. Sometimes there is no escaping it, but it certainly helps to have the good stuff on hand.

How about you? What is in your flare box? Share below. We love to hear from you.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The IrritableBowelSyndrome.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Serenityjunkie Member
A useful thing is the hand held bidet. You can pick one up for a negligible amount and find one that attaches to a soda <a href='http://bottle.This' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>bottle.This</a> and the careful use of protective gloves can be a comfortable way to clean. It does take a bit of practice Though. Obviously then a small scrap of camping towel can be used to the finished effect. I use this when out in the wild s hiking, to good effect. 
1. Kelly Dabel, RD Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="Serenityjunkie" user-id="4207370"/> Thank you for sharing what helps you. Best, Kelly, <a href='http://Irritablebowelsyndrome.net' target='_blank'>Irritablebowelsyndrome.net</a> Team Member
2. Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Serenityjunkie" user-id="4207370"/> Thank you for sharing this tip. Love that you go hiking and are able to make things work for you while out in nature. -Elizabeth (team member)
hateibs Member
<inline-mention username="Elizabeth Alvarez" user-id="2297012"/> I don't have an actual "box" but I rely on many of the items you mention. IBS flares can make me feel horribly cold. I don't know if it's a body shock thing or losing a lot out of the body in a short time. But I will shiver and my teeth can chatter. Even if it's summertime. So anything warm and cozy to wrap up in is a great idea. I love the idea of thick fuzzy socks, because my extremities get cold in a flare. A sore bum easily comes with IBS territory! I always use water to wash the area even on a regular day but it's essential in a flare -or something gentler than just dry toilet paper. I don't have a bidet, so I will use dry for maybe 4 wipes, then switch to warm water which I use on a small wad of the paper, then gently dry off with some dry pieces. I use an aloe vera impregnated toilet paper which is a little more expensive than many but 100% worth it. It smells nice too. That method has saved my bum many a time. Hands are another thing. I get terribly dry sore hands from constantly washing them after using the toilet, even though I use a gentle hand washing gel. So a good moisture cream is useful. I like Norwegian formula hand cream. It's a pity though that sometimes it ends up having to be washed off again umpteen times. I listen to classical music too during the bad times. It helps keep my spirits up. I just hate it when a really favourite track is playing -one of my favourite pieces -and I have to make a dash for the bathroom, and miss it. I was worried at one time that I might start to associate the lovely music with the horrible tummy times. But I noticed that didn't happen as I play that music anyway through bad times and good. I hope you are doing okay, Elizabeth? Kind wishes.
1. Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="hateibs" user-id="4146293"/> I am doing well, thank you for asking! I can relate 100% to everything you've mentioned here. Oh, and as far as the music, it's funny you mentioned that you were worried about a negative association. I actually have experienced this with clothes. Is that weird? I have some outfits that I've experienced horrible flares in. And some lounge wear that I've worn during my most sick times. When I see them in my closet, I avoid wearing them because they remind me of such bad times. -Elizabeth (team member)
hateibs Member
 I can relate to any associations made between anything we're wearing, listening to, smelling....whatever, during flare times. Fortunately, I seem to forget what clothes I was wearing when I had a flare! But smells affect me, so I have this body wash that I haven't used since August (!) It was one of my favourites too. But every time I smell it, I am reminded....ugh!! I know the only way through that is to start using it every day again. So far, it sits at the edge of my bathtub. Times of day can be a reminder too. I never seem to forget what time of day it was when I suddenly had a flare, especially if it was an "unforgettable" one. 
1. Kelly Dabel, RD Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="hateibs" user-id="4146293"/> So true how some of those things are so tightly attached to memories. Hope that you can gradually get back to using your fav soap if you want to. It goes both ways, so many things that are tied to positive memories too, like the smell of a certain flower or a special song that makes you smile. Here's to rewriting those links with positive reactions one step at a time. Best, Kelly, <a href='http://Irritablebowelsyndrome.net' target='_blank'>Irritablebowelsyndrome.net</a> Team Member
2. Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="hateibs" user-id="4146293"/> So interesting how we all tie different experiences and items with flares. Thanks for sharing with us. -Elizabeth (team member)

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