Travel Tips for Diabetes Management Series: Pre-Planning

On a normal day, someone with diabetes makes more than 50 decisions related to their diabetes management and care. When traveling, they make even more, especially when planning and packing! Here are some tips to guide you in preparing for travel with diabetes.

Packing Your Diabetes Supplies

Travel can be unpredictable! Things like flight cancellations, bad weather, or road closures can easily add extra days to your trip. Always pack more medication and diabetes supplies than you expect to need in case your trip unexpectedly gets extended. Here is a list of some of the essentials needed when planning your packing list for travel.

• Blood Glucose meter/supplies:
  • Strips
  • Meter
  • Needles (Lancets)
  • Batteries for meter
  • Alcohol swabs
• CGM accessories/sensors
  • Backup sensor (at least one more than what you need)
  • Charger for CGM remote/receiver
  • CGM controller if not using app on cellular device
  • Overlay patches: This in case your sensor starts to peel or you are partaking in activities that would increase chances of sensor peeling
• Insulin supplies
  • Don’t forget your insulin
  • Insulin pumps (make sure to bring extra in case of emergency)
  • Insulin pump remote or controller
  • Insulin pump tubing
  • Needles for pen or insulin syringes
  • Carrying case for insulin for insulin to stay cool
  • Charger for insulin pump controller
  • A hard surface container to collect used needles
• First aid supplies
  • Alcohol swabs
  • Bandaids
  • Antibiotic ointment
• Food
  • Prevent dehydration: Bring a reusable water bottle that you can fill up at rest stops or at the airport so you have water on hand at most times.
  • Snacks: Always have a back up snack on hand in case there is an extended length of time between meals to prevent low blood sugars. Bring treatment for hypoglycemia such as glucose tablets, simple sugar items, and glucagon.
• Clothing accessories
  • Sunscreen, hats, sun protecting clothing: Staying warm and/or cool is important in BG management and preventing dehydration.
  • Bring moisture wicking socks to prevent blisters and supportive shoes to protect your feet especially for days with an increase in walking or activity.
• Emergency Plan
  • Pack items for emergencies in a designated area so you know where it is in emergency situations. Inform others of where these items are located as well. These items include:
    • Medical ID
    • Glucagon
    • Phone number for your healthcare provider
    • Medication list
    • Hypoglycemia sugar sources
    • A list of nearby pharmacies
    • Your emergency contacts
  • If traveling out of the country, think about how you will communicate with your healthcare team or emergency contact if needed. Keep in mind that US healthcare providers cannot typically call in medications to pharmacies that are out of the country.

Remember While Traveling

Set Alarms

When traveling, it’s easy to get out of your routine. To help you to stay on track with your medication routine, place reminders to take your medications with phone alarms, calendar reminders, or ask for verbal reminders from your travel companion.

Storing Medications

Remember to store your medications somewhere they are easily accessible. If you’re flying, pack your diabetes medications and supplies in your carry-on or personal bag and store them under the seat in front of you. This ensures your items don’t get exposed to any extreme temperatures, that you have quick/easy access to these supplies when needed, and eliminates the risk of not having these items if your baggage gets lost by the airline. If you’re driving, keep these items in a container that is within reach to ensure quick and easy access.

If you take insulin, know that it needs to be kept out of direct sunlight and hot environments. You can purchase coolers and carrying cases to help keep your insulin cool and stored appropriately.

Wearing a Medical ID

If traveling alone or you plan to venture off without your travel buddy, it is important to wear a Medical ID so that if you need emergency medical attention, those caring for you know you have diabetes and can identify the best treatment action for you.

Stress Management

Stress from travel could increase blood sugar due to increased cortisol. Practice stress management while traveling. Good methods for stress management include:

• Watch a show you like
• Listen to music or a podcast
• Play a game on your electronic device
• Read a book
• Have a travel buddy to chat with
• Deep breaths
• Going for a walk before flight or at rest stops
• Journaling

Talking with Your Health Care Team and Preventing Complications:

If you’ll be traveling to a different time zone, consider consulting your health care provider to help you plan how to adjust your insulin or medication schedule.

Preventing illness is important to help prevent complications in your diabetes care. If traveling out of the country, discuss with your provider what vaccinations you may need.

Before you leave, make a list of the contact info for your healthcare provider and diabetes care team and bring it with you in case you need to contact them. Keep an updated list of your prescriptions and medication dosing in case you cannot get a hold of your healthcare team.

Research your destination for nearby pharmacies, access to food/exercise, and nearby hospitals before arriving at your destination.

It is also important to make sure that someone you are traveling with knows you have diabetes in case of an emergency. If you have glucagon, take the time to educate them on when and how to use it and what the next steps are in an emergency. Pick a designated location for your hypoglycemia snacks and glucagon so they are able to find it in time of emergency.

If you have other questions, reach out to our Diabetes Education team.