How to Handle Insulin While Travelling

If you have diabetes and are using insulin to control your blood sugar levels, you definitely don’t need to say goodbye to holidays. However,  there are several factors you need to take into account. You need to have enough insulin to last until you get home, even if you encounter delays. That insulin needs to work effectively, even though you won’t have your normal storage conditions.

You may also be taking part in new activities, eating different food or travelling across time zones. All of these can affect your insulin dosing. New adventures are great, but you’ll need to take a few precautions to avoid serious mishaps.

Get Your Supplies in Order

It’s crucial not to run out of insulin while you’re away. You’ll need to have enough to last you the whole time you’re away, and extra just in case some of your insulin is damaged and can’t be used, or there are unexpected delays which mean you’re back later than you planned.

Order your repeat prescription insulin from your GP well in advance, and make sure you have enough other supplies (needles, swabs, etc) to last the same period.

Check Out Local Supplies

While you will hopefully not run out when you’re abroad, it’s best to be prepared. That means being able to access insulin while you’re away in an emergency.

The names of insulin vary between countries, so it’s important to know the local name of your insulin. You should also make sure you have contact details of the main insulin suppliers in the area or areas you’re visiting.

While most countries use U-100 strength insulin, you may come across U-40 and U-80 strengths. Don’t forget that if you are using a U-40/80 strength insulin, you’ll also need to use a U-40/80 syringe.

You may also find that insulin pens aren’t available in the country you’re going to. Once you’ve found out the local name of your insulin or alternatives that are available, your diabetes nurse can help you work out what the comparable dose would be. Alternatively, your supplier may be able to arrange for your insulin to be sent to a local pharmacy.

What Temperature Should Insulin be Stored at?

Insulin needs to be stored correctly to maintain its effectiveness and ensure it stays safe to use. Understanding the ideal storage temperatures is essential to avoid damaging your insulin.

• The ideal storage temperature for insulin is 2 to 6°C.
• You can usually keep any insulin at up to 25 ° C for up to a month. Some insulin may be stable at 25 ° C for longer, or at even higher temperatures for a few weeks. However, you can’t guarantee this, and it’s always best to err on the side of caution by keeping your insulin chilled at 2-6°C whenever possible.
• Insulin should never be allowed to freeze, as this can cause it to break down and work less effectively. If any of your insulin ever freezes, you should discard it, even if you thaw it afterwards.
• Exposing insulin to bright light also causes it to become less effective more quickly. Don’t expose insulin to bright sunlight, and always keep it stored somewhere dark.

While You’re En Route

• Keep your insulin pens or cartridges (including the one you’re using) in the fridge until you leave. Put a reminder with your keys or on top of your suitcase so you don’t get halfway down the motorway and have to turn back because you’ve forgotten them!
• Never put your insulin in your hold luggage if you’re travelling by plane. As well as changes in air pressure, temperatures in the hold often drop below freezing.
• It’s always best to keep your insulin in a chilled container while you’re en route. This will prevent it from being exposed to bright light and ensure it doesn’t get too hot while you’re travelling. You may be waiting outside in the heat for a bus or car on arrival, or have a non-air-conditioned transfer.
• Look at the Diabetes UK online shop for cool bag options, including Frio insulin wallets and pouches  designed for travelling. Once these pouches have been activated by soaking them in cold water, they keep insulin at a safe temperature range of 18-26°C (64.4-78.8°F) for a minimum of 45 hours. This is much longer than standard cool bags, so it can be particularly useful if you’re travelling a long way.
• Alternatively, you can use a coolbag, coolbox or polystyrene container.
• A pre-chilled vacuum flask with a wide neck is another option.
• If your container has frozen plastic blocks, never allow them to come into direct contact with your insulin in case they freeze the insulin.
• If you have an insulin pump, you should not be asked at security to remove it or to go through a whole body scanner. The security officers should offer you an alternative method of screening. However, to reduce queries and delays, download a Medical Device Awareness Card, endorsed by the ICAO Aviation Security Panel. Keep this with you, along with a letter from your medical team detailing your medical history and all your medications.
• If you have to carry medication in containers over 100mls, or any devices, you should be able to take these onto the plane. Again, however, you’ll need a doctor’s letter.

When You’re Away

• Keeping your insulin (including your open pen or cartridge) refrigerated while you’re away is the best way to ensure its effectiveness isn’t affected by temperature or light.
•  If you’re going on excursions, remember that you’ll need to keep your insulin at the right temperature while you’re out. The hotel will usually be happy to freeze ice blocks for you if that’s what you’re using.
• If you’re using a Frio insulin wallet (see above), don’t forget to activate it by soaking it in cold water. Depending on the size of the wallet, this can take 5-12 minutes, so don’t leave it until the last minute.

Insulin and Time Zones

Managing your insulin dosage while flying can be challenging, depending on your destination and circumstances. To help, here are my top tips to ensure a smoother experience:

• If you’re travelling east across time zones, the clocks go forward from the UK, so your day will shorten. This means you may have to adjust your dose of insulin downwards on the day of travel.
• If, by contrast, you’re travelling west across time zones, the clocks go back from the UK. That means your day will be longer on the day you’re travelling, and means you may have to increase your dose of insulin on that day.
• Before you go, speak to your doctor or specialist nurse with full details of departure time, flight duration and the time difference at your destination. They will be able to advise you about how to adjust your doses.
• If you use an insulin pump, you may need to change the time or date on the pump manually. This will ensure your dose of basal insulin remains correct. Again, your specialist nurse or doctor can advise you of the steps to take.
• If you use an app to calculate your doses, these should automatically update as you go across time zones.

Travelling with Medications

If you are travelling with medications other than insulin, it’s important to plan ahead. Keep all medications in their original packaging, along with a copy of your prescription or a doctor’s letter. This will help avoid any issues at customs.

Ensure your medications are stored correctly during the trip, paying attention to temperature requirements if needed. It’s also a good idea to carry enough to cover unexpected delays and to pack them in your hand luggage for easy access and safety during travel.

READ MORE: Travelling with Medications

Be Insured

If you have diabetes, you’ll need to declare this on your travel insurance application. Even if you’re travelling in a country covered by the GHIC (formerly the EHIC), it’s essential to take out separate travel insurance.

The GHIC entitles you to care at the same rate as a resident. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean the care will be free, and it doesn’t cover all eventualities. Always get insurance from a specialist provider such as Medical Travel Compared, who can provide peace of mind, whatever your condition.

Travelling with insulin doesn’t need to stop you from having an amazing holiday. With the right preparation and a little planning, you can ensure your trip goes smoothly and enjoy peace of mind throughout your journey.

From organising a proper travel insulin kit and keeping your medication at the correct temperature to understanding local healthcare options and carrying the necessary documentation, a bit of foresight can make all the difference to your wellbeing and allow you to fully enjoy your time away.