People living with diabetes should consider the following when travelling either in the UK or overseas.

• Diabetes UK recommends that you should take up to three times your normal medication requirements for the time that you are away. This will allow for any travel delays, or breakages, or damage to insulin.
• Diabetes UK recommends that you take a letter from your doctor. (There may be a charge for the letter). The Diabetes Centre at Broomfield Hospital will normally send an email with an attached letter for free.
• Make sure you have adequate travel insurance cover and that your insurance provider knows your health history.
• If you have type 1 diabetes and you are travelling abroad across time zones, please speak to your diabetes team about adjusting the times you inject.
• Diabetes UK has a list of insulin manufacturers telephone numbers if you wish to find out whether the country you are going to supplies your insulin.
• People taking tablets to control their diabetes are unaffected by travelling across different time zones.
• Insulin can be damaged by heat. If you are travelling to a hot country, make sure you store your additional supplies of insulin in the fridge at your hotel.  When out and about use a cooling block. Do not put your insulin next to an ice block.  Insulin is unusable if it freezes. 
• If you are travelling to a cold country, make sure you keep your insulin somewhere warm. When out and about keep your insulin close to your body.

Hand Luggage Items

Items that should be carried in your hand luggage are: –

• All your diabetes medication.
• Diabetes identity card or a wrist band.
• A letter from your GP or Hospital Diabetes Specialist Nurse.
• A copy of your latest prescription.
• Hypo treatments – eg wine gums, jelly babies, or glucose tablets.
• Extra snacks in case of delays.

Some airlines allow you to carry a bigger hand luggage bag if you have medication such as insulin. Please contact your airline beforehand.

Can CGM’s Insulin Pumps, and Freestyle Libre sensors go through airport security scanners?

Diabetes UK reports that not all diabetes technology can safely pass through security checks at airports.

Most types of CGM/Freestyle Libre sensors can go through the metal detector arches that you walk through.

Most CGM’s, Freestyle Libre sensors and insulin pumps should not be exposed to x-rays, luggage scanners, hold scanners, or full body scanners. Please ask for a ‘Pat Down’ if you are asked to go through one of the above.  A ‘Pat Down’ may take a while.

Eating on the aeroplane

Airline mealtimes can be found out ahead of your overseas trip.  Make sure you match your carbohydrate intake the correct dose of insulin (take note that you will not be active whilst on the plane).  Airline meals are small and may not have sufficient carbohydrates.  The airline crew however do have extra snacks on board that you may buy.

Blood sugars should be checked often whilst on board the plane.

Diabetes and hot climates

• Diabetes UK recommends that you wear a high factored sun cream when in a hot climate. They also recommend that you wear clothing that is loose and covers your skin.
• It is recommended that you wear sunglasses with a UV400 label on.
• Make sure you wear sandals on the beach especially if you have neuropathy.

Sunbathing

• Lying in the sun may cause your blood sugar to become elevated as you are being less active. You may need to adjust your insulin dose.
• You will need to drink more fluid than usual (water preferably) as blood sugar may increase if you become dehydrated.
• Insulin is often absorbed into the blood stream more quickly in hot weather. This will bring on a hypo.

Diabetes and cold climates

Insulin is absorbed more slowly in colder climates. Once you become warm insulin can be absorbed more quickly and induce a hypo. The body uses up more energy to stay warm.  This may bring on a hypo.

Hypos are more dangerous in colder climates as they interfere with the body’s attempt to stay warm.  This may increase the risk of hypothermia. You may need to adjust your food and insulin requirements, or both.

Blood meters may not function at low temperatures. Please check the manufacturer’s guidelines and keep the meter at body temperature if possible.

To prevent frostbite if you have poor circulation or neuropathy check your feet regularly and make sure you have plenty of clothing to put on, including socks.

Some countries use different blood glucose measurements.  Please click here to see the conversion chart.

Foreign countries offer different foods for you to enjoy.  Please research the carbohydrate content of foods ahead of travelling, or download a suitable app that will provide guidance. 

 If you are using the Omnipod 5 automated insulin delivery system please note there is a chance of unintended insulin delivery when flying.  This occurs during take off and landing. Please click here for further information.

For further information on travelling abroad please click on the following link. 

The most importantly enjoy all the experiences another country has to offer.