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Overhead view of a person with blond hair sitting on the floor with folded knees pulling items out of an open box, a blanket, toilet paper, headphones and cellphone, wet wipes, essential oil, and epsom salt scattered around them on the floor

What Is In My IBS Flare Box?

Elizabeth Alvarez's avatar image

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.

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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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