What to do in a flare

A flare is when your IBD becomes more active and you start having more symptoms than usual. You might have more diarrhoea, tummy pain, urgency, blood or mucus in your poo, tiredness, or a change in your appetite.

A flare can feel worrying, but you don’t have to figure it out on your own. There are things you can do to look after yourself and get the right help.

🩺 1. Tell your IBD team

If you think you’re having a flare, let your parent or carer know and contact your IBD team.

They may want to know:

• How many times you’re going to the toilet

• Whether there is blood or mucus

• Whether you have tummy pain

• Whether you’re waking up at night to poo

• Whether you’re eating and drinking normally

• Whether you have lost weight

• Whether you have a fever

• How tired or unwell you feel

• Whether you’re taking your medicines as prescribed

Your team may ask you to provide a stool sample, have blood tests, or come in for an appointment.

These tests can help them work out whether your IBD is active and how much inflammation there is.

💊 2. Keep taking your medicines

It can be tempting to stop your medicine when you feel sick of taking it — or because you think it isn’t helping.

Don’t stop, start, or change your IBD medicines on your own.

Take them exactly as prescribed unless your IBD team tells you to do something different.

If you’re struggling to take your medicine because you feel sick, you can’t swallow it, or you’re worried about side effects, tell your parent or IBD team.

💧 3. Keep drinking

Diarrhoea can make you lose extra fluid and salts.

Try to drink regularly throughout the day. If you’re having lots of diarrhoea or vomiting, your healthcare team may recommend an oral rehydration solution.

Signs that you may be getting dehydrated include:

• Feeling very thirsty

• A dry mouth

• Feeling dizzy or light-headed

• Peeing less than usual

• Darker urine

• Feeling unusually weak or sleepy

Tell an adult if you’re worried that you might be dehydrated.

🍽️ 4. Keep your body fuelled

Your body needs energy and nutrients, especially while it is dealing with inflammation and trying to grow.

You usually don’t need to stop eating just because you’re having a flare.

You may find that some foods make your symptoms feel worse, but try not to remove lots of foods from your diet without talking to your parent, doctor, or dietitian.

If you’re struggling to eat, losing weight, or finding that eating makes your symptoms much worse, tell your IBD team.

🛌 5. Listen to your body

Flares can make you incredibly tired.

You might need:

• More sleep

• More breaks during the day

• Less physical activity for a while

• Help with schoolwork

• Help getting to the bathroom

Resting when you need to doesn’t mean you’re being lazy. Your body is using a lot of energy dealing with inflammation.

🏫 6. Tell school what you need

You don’t have to explain everything to everyone.

Your parent or carer can work with your school to make things easier while you’re unwell.

This might include:

• Being allowed to use the toilet whenever you need

• Sitting somewhere close to the door

• Having access to a private toilet

• Keeping spare clothes at school

• Taking extra breaks

• Reducing your workload temporarily

• Having flexibility with attendance

Your school should know that a flare can affect more than just your tummy — it can affect your energy, concentration and ability to get through the day.

🚽 7. Make a toilet plan

If you’re worried about having an accident, planning ahead can make going out feel much less stressful.

You could:

• Find out where the toilets are when you arrive somewhere

• Sit near an easy exit

• Keep spare underwear and clothes in your bag

• Carry wipes or toilet paper

• Keep a plastic bag for dirty clothes

• Tell a trusted adult that you may need to leave quickly

And remember: an accident is never something to be ashamed of.

🧠 8. Look after your feelings

Flares can affect your head as well as your gut.

You might feel:

• Embarrassed

• Angry

• Frustrated

• Worried

• Sad

• Different from your friends

• Scared about having an accident

• Worried that the flare will never end

These feelings are completely understandable.

Talk to someone you trust. You can also ask your IBD team for help if your worries or emotions are becoming difficult to manage.

🏃 9. Give yourself permission to slow down

You might normally love sport, hanging out with friends, or being active.

During a flare, you may not have the same energy.

It’s okay to take a break.

Once your symptoms improve, you can gradually get back to the activities you enjoy. Your healthcare team can help you work out what is safe and appropriate for you.

📝 10. Keep track of what is happening

It can be useful to keep a simple record of your symptoms.

You could write down:

• How many times you poo each day

• Whether there is blood or mucus

• Tummy pain

• Urgency

• Your temperature if you feel unwell

• What medicines you’ve taken

• How much you’re eating and drinking

• How you’re feeling overall

This can make it much easier to explain what has been happening when you speak to your IBD team.

🚨 When should you get urgent help?

Tell an adult straight away if you are becoming very unwell.

Seek urgent medical help if you have severe or worsening abdominal pain, significant bleeding, repeated vomiting, signs of serious dehydration, a high fever, fainting, confusion, or you are difficult to wake or unusually sleepy.

If you’re not sure whether your symptoms are serious, it’s always okay to ask for help.

💛 Remember

A flare is not your fault.

You haven’t caused it by being stressed, eating the “wrong” food, or doing something wrong.

Your job isn’t to fix the flare yourself. Your job is to tell someone, look after yourself, and let your IBD team help you get back to feeling better.