IBD Emergency Kit: What to Pack for Crohn's or Colitis

An IBD emergency kit is a small bag of practical things you keep ready so a rough moment is easier to handle: a change of underwear and clothes, wipes, a bag for anything soiled, hand sanitizer, a phone charger, water, and a card with your key info and care team contacts. Many people with Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis also set up a “bad day at home” plan: a comfortable spot near the bathroom, easy meals in the house, and a short list of who to call.

None of this is medical. It’s logistics. The point is to make decisions on a calm day, so you don’t have to make them on a hard one. Below you’ll find what people commonly pack, how to set up at home, and a printable checklist you can tick off. For anything medical, like what to keep on hand for symptoms, ask your care team.

What is an IBD emergency kit (or “flare kit”)?

People call it different things: an emergency kit, a flare kit, a go bag, a survival kit. It usually means two things:

• An “out the door” kit: a small pouch that lives in your bag, car, desk or backpack.
• A “bad day at home” setup: the space, supplies and plan that make a day on the couch or near the bathroom less stressful.

The Crohn’s and Colitis Canada page on what to bring when you travel suggests an “emergency travel kit” with things like toilet paper, wipes, a change of underwear and clothes, plastic bags for disposal and hand sanitizer. The same idea works for a normal day out.

What to pack in an “out the door” kit

Keep it small enough that you’ll actually carry it. A zip pouch or a toiletry bag works well.

For a change:

• Spare underwear
• A spare pair of pants, leggings or shorts (some people pick a dark color)
• Spare socks
• A small, thin towel or a few paper towels

For cleaning up:

• Wipes
• Toilet paper or a pack of tissues (public restrooms run out)
• A sealable plastic bag or a small trash bag for anything soiled
• A pair of disposable gloves
• Hand sanitizer for when there’s no soap
• A small odor spray, if that helps you feel less self-conscious

For staying in touch:

• A phone charger or small power bank
• A card with your key info (more on that below)
• A little cash, for times you need to buy something to get restroom access

For comfort:

• A bottle of water
• Something to pass the time, like headphones or a book, in case you’re stuck in a restroom or a waiting room for a while

Where to keep it. Some people keep a second kit in the car, at work or in a school locker. Check it monthly and restock what you used.

What to put on your info card

If you ever can’t explain things yourself, a card means someone else can help. Keep a paper copy in your kit and wallet, and a copy on your phone.

• Your name and that you have Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis
• An emergency contact: name and phone number
• Your care team: names, the main number, and any after-hours number
• Any allergies and your current medicines, if you’d want someone else to know them
• Your insurance details
• Your preferred hospital, if you have one

On iPhone, the Medical ID in the Health app can hold emergency contacts, conditions, medications and allergies, and Apple explains how to make it viewable from the Lock Screen so responders don’t need your passcode.

A restroom card. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation provides a free “I Can’t Wait” card that you can show to explain why you urgently need a restroom, and a We Can’t Wait app for finding publicly accessible restrooms. Our guide to finding a bathroom fast explains how to get the card, and there’s a printable restroom request card too. A card is a way to ask; whether a business says yes can vary.

What about medicines and creams?

We don’t list medicines, creams, supplements or medical products here, on purpose. What’s right to carry depends on you, your treatment and your care team. Ask your care team what’s worth keeping on hand, both in your out-the-door kit and at home, and how to use it.

If you have an ostomy, your care team or ostomy nurse can tell you which supplies to keep with you.

A good time to ask is your next appointment. Questions Worth Asking Your Care Team has a list you can add this to.

How to set up for a bad day at home

Many people like having what they need within reach on a bad day. Some pick a spot close to the bathroom, like the couch, the bed or a comfy chair, and set it up once.

Near your spot:

• A blanket and a couple of pillows
• A long phone charging cable, or a power bank
• A bottle or jug of water
• Something to pass the time: a tablet, a book, a downloaded show, a puzzle
• A small trash can with a liner, and tissues
• Loose, comfortable clothes you can change into easily

In the bathroom:

• Extra toilet paper, more than you think
• Wipes, and a small trash can with a liner
• A spare towel and a change of clothes
• Your phone charger, if there’s an outlet
• A night light, for trips in the dark

For the bed:

• Some people keep a waterproof mattress protector on, or a spare set of sheets nearby, for peace of mind.

Plan ahead: who to call and what to cancel

The hardest part of a rough day is often the admin. Write this down once, somewhere easy to find, like a note pinned on your phone.

Who to call

• Your care team’s number, and when to use the after-hours line
• Someone who can come over, bring things or drive you
• Someone who can cover kids, pets or school pickup
• Your workplace or school contact
• Your pharmacy’s number

What to cancel

• A pre-written message for work or school, so you only have to hit send
• A pre-written “I need to cancel, can we move this?” for friends
• A list of regular things you might need to move: appointments, classes, shifts, plans

Easy meals already in the house

Many people keep a few low-effort meals and drinks in the cupboard or freezer, ones they already like and that fit anything their care team or a dietitian has told them. We don’t suggest what those should be; that’s a conversation for your care team. The idea is simply not having to cook or shop on a bad day. Some people also keep a delivery app or grocery order ready to go.

Small things that help

• Charge your phone and power bank the night before if you’re expecting a rough day.
• Keep a spare set of house keys with someone you trust.

For a pre-written message to your manager and other work plans, see Working With Crohn’s or Colitis. Beyond Food: Stress, Sleep and Routine With IBD covers the everyday side of rest and routine.

Know when to get help

A kit is for comfort and logistics, not for handling medical problems on your own. Ask your care team ahead of time which changes mean you should get in touch, and how quickly. If you’re worried or something doesn’t feel right, contact your care team. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Printable checklist

Print this or copy it into your notes app. Going away? Our travel guide and printable travel checklist cover the extra steps. More printables are in our tools.

Out the door kit

• Spare underwear
• Spare pants or leggings, and socks
• Small towel or paper towels
• Wipes
• Toilet paper or tissues
• Sealable bag or small trash bag
• Disposable gloves
• Hand sanitizer
• Odor spray (optional)
• Phone charger or power bank
• Info card (paper copy)
• Restroom card, if you have one
• A little cash
• Water
• Headphones or something to pass the time
• Anything your care team suggested keeping on hand

Info card

• Name and condition
• Emergency contact
• Care team names and numbers, including after hours
• Allergies and current medicines (if you want them listed)
• Insurance details
• Preferred hospital
• Medical ID set up on your phone

Bad day at home

• Comfortable spot near the bathroom
• Blanket and pillows
• Long charging cable
• Water within reach
• Something to pass the time
• Extra toilet paper and wipes in the bathroom
• Spare towel and change of clothes
• Trash can with liner
• Night light
• Mattress protector or spare sheets
• Low-effort meals and drinks in the house
• Anything your care team suggested keeping at home

Plan

• Care team number and after-hours number saved
• Someone who can come over or drive you
• Cover for kids, pets or pickups
• Pre-written message for work or school
• Pre-written message for cancelling plans
• Spare keys with someone you trust
• Kit checked and restocked this month

How Flarely helps

On a bad day, logging is the last thing you want to spend energy on. In Flarely, a BM with blood, urgency and pain is three taps, and stress is one. Later, the Summary tab shows your days side by side, so you’re not relying on memory.

If you’d like to share how the last few weeks went, Flarely can make a 30-day summary PDF in one tap that you can send to your care team, or to a family member or friend who helps you. You can also jot questions down in the “Questions I want to ask” note in the Reports tab as they come up.

Frequently asked questions

What should be in an IBD emergency kit?

Many people keep a change of underwear and clothes, wipes, toilet paper or tissues, a sealable bag for anything soiled, hand sanitizer, a phone charger, water, and a card with key info and care team contacts. For anything medical, ask your care team what’s worth keeping on hand.

What is a flare kit for Crohn’s or colitis?

It’s a name people use for a small bag of practical items they keep ready for rough days, plus a plan at home: a comfortable spot near the bathroom, easy meals in the house, and a list of who to call and what to cancel.

How do I prepare for a bad IBD day at home?

Set up a comfortable space near the bathroom with a blanket, water, a long charging cable and something to pass the time. Keep low-effort meals in the house, and write down who to call and what you’d cancel, so you don’t have to think about it on the day.

Should I carry a card with my medical information?

Many people do. A card or phone note with your condition, emergency contact, care team details and any allergies or current medicines means someone else can help if you can’t explain. On iPhone, the Medical ID in the Health app can hold the same details.

---

Flarely is for your own wellbeing. This guide isn’t medical advice. For medical questions, talk with your care team.