Living With Arthritis
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What should I do in an arthritis flare-up?

An arthritis flare-up action plan is a written plan you make while you are well, so you know what to do when a flare starts: your usual and flare signs, gentle self-care steps, medicines your own clinicians have agreed, who to contact, and the red flag signs that mean you need urgent help. A suddenly hot, red, swollen joint with fever needs same-day NHS 111 or urgent care. Free from Living With Arthritis, registered charity 1218461.

Checked on 23 October 2026 against NHS: Arthritis and NHS: Rheumatoid arthritis. This is general information, not personal medical advice.

What goes in your flare-up action plan

  1. Your usual signs and your flare signs. Write down how your joints normally feel and what changes in a flare: more pain, stiffness lasting longer in the morning, swelling, warmth or tiredness.
  2. Your early warning signs. Many people notice a pattern, such as poor sleep, stress, a busy week or an infection, before a flare starts.
  3. Self-care steps for the first 48 hours. Pace activities and rest between tasks, keep joints gently moving within comfort, and use heat for stiffness or cold packs (wrapped in a towel) for hot, swollen joints.
  4. Medicines agreed with your own clinicians. Record what your GP, rheumatology team or pharmacist has said you can take or change in a flare. Do not change prescribed medicines on your own.
  5. Who to contact and when. List your GP, your rheumatology advice line if you have one, your pharmacist and NHS 111.
  6. Red flags. A suddenly hot, red, swollen joint with fever or feeling unwell, or a flare that is very different from your usual ones, needs same-day help from NHS 111, your GP or urgent care.

After the flare

Note what helped, what did not and how long the flare lasted. Take these notes to your next appointment. If you claim PIP, the notes can also go into your PIP evidence diary.

Related

Where to go next

  • PIP evidence diary — Free printable PIP evidence diary for arthritis: daily and weekly templates, a flare log, supporter statement and how to turn notes into form answers.
  • How do I relieve arthritis pain today? — Practical UK arthritis pain relief: paced movement, heat and cold, topical treatments, sleep and when to contact your GP. Find next steps for self-care.

This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.