Damage control

The last couple of weeks have been rough. The familiar cycle, pain, antibiotics, painkillers, repeat. Because of that, I had another hospital appointment to talk about treatment options for the keloids that haven’t been dealt with yet. The short version is this: no one really knows what to do next.

My doctors aren’t sure why all of my keloids have suddenly become so active. There’s no clear trigger, no obvious change, no neat explanation. So for now, I’m trying a few things on my own, including some changes to my diet, just to see if anything settles things down. It feels like guesswork, but when you’re in constant pain, you’ll try almost anything that feels vaguely sensible.

I wanted to use this issue to talk through what I actually do during flare ups. Not because I’ve cracked it, and definitely not because I have answers, but because I know how lonely and overwhelming these periods can feel. If even one small thing in here helps someone else get through a bad week, then it’s worth sharing.

This isn’t medical advice. It’s just real life, mid flare up, doing damage control.

For me, flare ups are usually linked to infections. Not because I’m licking door handles, but because I have a low immune system thanks to an illness I had when I was very young. That means I’m more prone to things kicking off, and once they do, everything escalates quickly.

I try to stay on top with vitamins and generally looking after myself, but when things get bad, the first step is always the doctor. I’ve been prescribed more antibiotics, ointments, and painkillers than I can count. If it’s on the NHS, I’ve probably tried it. Always follow your doctor’s advice and instructions. Anything I’m sharing here is just my own experience.

Once a flare up is in full swing, my focus shifts to managing the mess and the pain. Bleeding and fluid are part of it, so paper towels and dark clothing become essentials. Old t-shirts are your best friend at this point.

Keeping the area clean matters, even though it feels never ending. I use cotton pads and buds constantly. Honestly, I’ve probably single handedly harmed the environment at this point.

I’ll say this carefully, because I know what doctors advise. Sometimes I squeeze. Do this at your own risk. I’ve been told it can make things worse, and for some people it will. For me, it brings relief once everything drains. Just be warned, they can erupt, and anyone nearby may be caught by surprise.

After that, it’s about keeping the area clean, dry, and watched closely, because inflammation can come straight back.

Pain relief is my main goal during flare ups. Gel ice packs have been lifesavers. They help calm the stinging and swelling, and I don’t know what I’d do without them.

Showers also help. I set the temperature and just let the water run over the keloids. The downside is my water bill. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be standing there for at least half an hour, twice a day, questioning your life choices.

Moisturising is another non-negotiable. When my keloids dry out, everything feels worse. Keeping them moisturised helps with sensitivity and the constant itching.

When things are especially bad, I use wound dressings and gauze. Most of it is left-over from previous treatments like cryotherapy. Also, my mum has made it very clear that bleeding on her couch is unacceptable.

If you’re reading this thinking, “I don’t have any of this stuff,” don’t worry. Amazon will sort you out. Next day delivery is both a blessing and a curse. You’ll get what you need, plus a six foot charging cable so you don’t have to move, and somehow also end up with four memory foam pillows and a wireless ear cleaning camera thing. None of which were on the list.

Flare ups have a way of shrinking your world. Everything becomes about pain, cleaning, waiting, and getting through the next hour. I don’t have a fix for that, but I do know this: you’re not weak for struggling, and you’re not doing it wrong if all you manage is damage control. Sometimes, that’s more than enough.

Help us keep sharing real stories, you never know who your advice may help.