What I Keep Around as a Sickle Cell Mom
❤️ A Little About Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that affects the red blood cells. It is not contagious—you are born with it.
Normally, red blood cells are round, soft, and flexible, which allows them to easily travel through the body’s small blood vessels and deliver oxygen. With sickle cell disease, abnormal hemoglobin can cause the red blood cells to become hard, sticky, and shaped like a crescent or “sickle.”
Because these sickled cells don't move through the blood vessels as easily, they can stick together and block blood flow and oxygen. When that happens, it can cause a pain crisis (vaso-occlusive crisis)—which can bring sudden, intense pain that may occur in the arms, legs, back, chest, abdomen, or other areas of the body. A crisis can last hours or even days and sometimes requires medical treatment.
Sickle cell disease affects people of many backgrounds, but in the United States it disproportionately affects Black and African American communities.
As a sickle cell mom to my 7-year-old son, I've learned that you never really know when a pain crisis may come. That's why I like keeping simple comfort and care items on hand. This list includes some of the things that have been helpful for my son and our family, as well as items that may be useful for other children and adults living with sickle cell disease and the caregivers supporting them.
These recommendations are based on our personal experience and are not a substitute for a treatment plan from your healthcare provider.
