Under 18?

For Healthcare Professionals

Well equipped for an enjoyable trip

Planning your journey or holiday before you go helps you to enjoy yourself and may avoid problems with your diabetes while you are away.

Checking your blood glucose levels on a regular basis allows you to manage your diabetes with less fuss and greater overall awareness of your condition — especially when travelling. When in unusual situations and surroundings, it may, for example, be necessary to check your blood glucose more often. And when travelling, your usual daily pattern is invariably disrupted and your circadian rhythm, i.e. your internal body clock, can easily be thrown out of sync. Fluctuations in your blood glucose levels can also be caused by eating different foods or being more physically active than usual.

All of which means it is sensible to put together not only a general first-aid kit, but also a special kit for your diabetes before setting off on a trip, so that you can continue to check your blood glucose everyday and take your insulin as usual.

Click here for recommendations for your first-aid kit

Special note on insulin

When travelling abroad, please ask your healthcare professional what your insulin is called in the country you will be travelling to, as products are sometimes sold under different names in different places. You can then buy more insulin abroad, if needed. Remember that insulin may be absorbed faster in warmer climates, and you may therefore be more likely to have a hypo. Regular blood tests are therefore important as you may need to reduce your dose of insulin. Please consult with your Diabetes Specialist Nurse or GP

Take a cool bag with you or find a cool place to store your insulin when you arrive. As insulin can decompose, it should never be exposed to direct sunlight, and temperatures above 37° C or frost should likewise be avoided. Therefore don't store your insulin in the hold of an aircraft, a glove compartment or boot of a car. If your insulin changes appearance, e.g. its colour changes, precipitate forms or it becomes streaky, you should cease using it, as it may have lost its effect.

Travel documents

People with diabetes occasionally experience difficulties at airports when travelling abroad, as equipment such as pens, syringes, lancets and insulin pumps often arouses suspicion. Carrying a diabetes identity card and also a doctor’s certificate stating that you need to carry your diabetes equipment with you can help clear up any confusion quickly. A diabetes identity card also includes instructions on immediate measures to be taken in the event of an emergency.

Special rules apply to flights to or inside the USA. For details, contact the airline you are flying with.