Have Diabetes? Get Tips for Safe Travels

Manage your diabetes even while you’re on vacation. Plan ahead for stress-free travel and your health needs. In all your travels, take your care routine with you.

Getting out of your routine is part of the fun of vacation and traveling. But it's good to travel with your care routine, especially if you have diabetes.

Meals away from home, changes in how much physical activity you get, and differences in time zones as you travel can affect how well you manage diabetes. Use this time to be refreshed, lose the stress, and continue healthy habits. Before you hit the road, review these tips for taking care of yourself.

Don't Forget Your Medication

Pack twice the amount of diabetes supplies you expect to need, in case of travel delays.
Keep snacks, glucose gel, or tablets with you in case your blood glucose drops.
Make sure you keep your health insurance card and emergency phone numbers handy, including your doctor's name and phone number.
Carry medical identification that says you have diabetes.
Keep time zone changes in mind so you'll know when to take medication.
If you use insulin, make sure you also pack a glucagon emergency kit.
Have all syringes and insulin delivery systems (including vials of insulin) clearly marked with the pharmaceutical preprinted label that identifies the medications. Keep it in the original pharmacy labeled packaging.
Find out where to get medical care if needed when away from home.
Take copies of prescriptions with you.

On the Road

Reduce your risk for blood clots by moving around every hour or two.
Pack a small cooler of foods that may be difficult to find while traveling, such as fresh fruit, and sliced raw vegetables.
If you're traveling with insulin, don't store it in direct sunlight or in a hot car. Keep it in a cooler, but do not place it directly on ice or on a gel pack.
Bring a few bottles of water instead of sugar-sweetened soda or juice.
Pack dried fruit, nuts, and seeds as snacks. Since these foods can be high in calories, measure out small portions (¼ cup) in advance.

Air Travel

If you're flying and don't want to walk through the metal detector with your insulin pump, tell a security officer that you are wearing an insulin pump and ask them to visually inspect the pump and do a security pat-down.
Place all diabetes supplies in carry-on luggage. Keep medications and snacks at your seat for easy access. Don't store them in overhead bins or checked luggage.
If a meal will be served during your flight, call ahead for a diabetic, low fat, or low cholesterol meal. Wait until your food is about to be served before you take your insulin.
If the airline doesn't offer a meal, bring a nutritious meal yourself.
Remember to pack snacks in case of flight delays.
When drawing up your dose of insulin, don't inject air into the bottle (the air on your plane will probably be pressurized).
Reduce your risk for blood clots by moving around every hour or two.

Staying Healthy

Changes in what you eat, activity levels and time zones can affect your blood glucose. Check levels often. Talk with your doctor before increasing physical activity, such as going on a trip that will involve more walking.
Stick with your exercise routine. Be sure to get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week.
Wash your hands often with soap and water.
Protect your feet. Be especially careful of hot pavement by pools and hot sand on beaches. Never go barefoot.
Make sure you are up-to-date on immunizations.