Traveling with diabetes

Erika Kuno, RN

As spring break approaches and the weather becomes warmer, we are entering travel season! Before embarking on a trip, it’s a good idea to review our clinic’s travel guidelines:

If traveling through the airport, you may request a travel letter to carry through TSA.
Make sure to pack ALL of your diabetes and pump supplies in your carry-on luggage. You will be able to bring needles/syringes through security. The storage underneath the plane isn’t temperature controlled, and there is always a possibility of lost luggage, so do not place supplies in checked luggage!
Keep in mind to bring TWICE the amount of insulin and diabetes supplies needed to ensure you do not run out.
If traveling somewhere warm, have a plan in place to keep extra insulin from overheating. Frio Packs are a great option to help keep insulin cool.
If your child uses an insulin pump, you may want to contact the pump company for a loaner pump to bring along on your trip. Or, if a pump failure occurs, the pump company can often send a replacement pump overnight (if within the US). We also recommend you bring a hard copy of pump settings, back-up basal and bolus insulin, and syringes/pen needles in case of a potential pump failure.
Consider testing BG more frequently while on vacation to help manage major changes in activity level and differences in food options.
If traveling across more than 2 time zones, consider adjusting the time of administration for basal insulin.
If disconnecting from the pump for long periods of time (swimming, amusement park rides, etc) be sure to re-connect and bolus every 2 hours or consider restarting basal insulin (Lantus, Basaglar, etc)-call the Diabetes Educators with questions!