Traveling with Insulin or other medication can be complicated and requires some planning. However, it shouldn’t hinder you from achieving your travel goals and exploring the world.

However, for people with diabetes, traveling requires extra layers of planning beyond researching excursions, making hotel reservations, and booking flights. Whether you are cruising, flying, or driving, you need a plan to cover all your essential health needs.

Some of the most common challenges for diabetes patients involve changes in time zones, diet, environments, and activity levels, all of which may hinder proper blood glucose management. Therefore, whether you are taking an extended trip or just a quick getaway, proper planning is the key to a more enjoyable and safer journey.

Here are some important tips for traveling with insulin:

1.    Pack more insulin and other diabetes supplies than needed.

Different places have different cultures and diets. As a result, you may find yourself eating more often and trying the local cuisine. For instance, you may eat more sugar (in drinks and sauces) and carbs (in foods such as rice and pasta) than intended.

Also, even if you’re keeping track of what you’re eating while traveling, other factors may necessitate a change in your insulin dose. According to the CDC, diabetes patients should bring at least double the amount they think they’ll need while traveling.

This helps ensure that you’ll not run out of insulin and other supplies due to unexpected events such as travel delays.

Be sure to keep spare insulin in different travel bags so you’ll always have a backup if you lose your luggage. Some of the supplies you need include:

• Alcohol swabs for disinfecting the area where you’ll be injecting insulin
• A lancing device, lancets, and diabetic test strips for testing your blood glucose
• A blood glucose monitor for checking your blood sugar
• Ketone test strips for warnings about DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis)
• Sugary snacks, glucose gel, or glucose tablets in case you experience low blood glucose.
• Insulin travel case
• Pen needles or insulin syringes, if necessary
• A complete glucagon kit in the case of severely low blood glucose levels
• Disposal container for your pen needles and syringes

2.    Store insulin and other diabetes supplies correctly while traveling.

Unopened insulin should be stored in the fridge at temperatures between 36 ºF and 46 ºF. However, this might not always be possible, especially while traveling. You can store insulin in a cooler if you are traveling by car. Make sure it is not in direct contact with the ice to prevent the insulin from getting too cold.

There are many insulin storage options while flying. For instance, there are a wide variety of insulin travel cases available on the market designed to store insulin easily and conveniently.

In fact, many insulin travel cases are designed to store insulin safely for several hours or days. These cases are convenient alternatives to large coolers, and some are designed to fit into carry-on bags.

How does the VIVI Cap work?

Here are some important things to keep in mind when getting insulin through airport security checks:

• Diabetes patients are exempt from the volume limit of 100 mL, or 3.4 oz.
• Separate diabetes supplies such as insulin and test kits from your other luggage and notify the security personnel before your belongings undergo screening.
• Consider acquiring a U.S. TSA (Transportation Security Administration) card before traveling. This discreetly notifies security personnel that you have a medical condition that requires special consideration during the screening process. You can also request a letter of medical necessity from your doctor.
• X-ray machines may damage your CGM device or insulin pumps. Be sure to ask for a hand inspection when traveling with such items.
• Avoid keeping extra insulin and supplies in your checked bag. This helps prevent the loss of essential supplies and damage due to rough handling.

3.    Store insulin and other supplies correctly when you arrive at your destination.

Although unopened insulin should be ideally stored in the fridge, a range of insulin products can be stored out of the cooler or fridge for a specified period, depending on the product.

Cold insulin is safe to use, but it is painful to inject. You can prevent pain by letting it come to room temperature before use. After opening your insulin product, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding proper storage. Insulin products can be stored at room temperature for periods ranging between 10 and 56 days.

Opened insulin vials can be returned to the fridge after use. However, opened insulin pens should be stored at room temperature. The amount of time it can last at room temperature depends on the specific product. If your insulin pump and product have different directions about the length of time insulin should last in the pump, go with the instructions that recommend a shorter amount of time for changing the insulin product.

Keep in mind that insulin should not be stored in the freezer as this may change its quality, which may be dangerous.

4.    Learn how to adjust your dose accordingly.

Talk to your doctor about how to adjust and administer insulin under different conditions, such as new time zones or different climates. Your healthcare provider may give you instructions for properly adjusting your dose if your blood glucose level gets too high while traveling.

Different time zones or climates that your body is used to may have an impact on your insulin dose. For example, you may need to adjust your insulin schedule if you are traveling through different time zones. Be sure to consult your doctor about whether and how to adjust your insulin dose and schedule before traveling.

5.    Don’t expose insulin products to extreme temperatures.

Once you arrive at your destination, you might be on the move quite a bit. For instance, you may go skiing on snowy mountains or spend time on hot beaches. Therefore, it’s essential to learn some important tips on how to keep your insulin products safe in extreme weather conditions.

Insulin becomes less effective at very low or very high temperatures. It should not be exposed to temperatures exceeding 77ºF to 88ºF, depending on the specific product. Avoid leaving your insulin sitting in a car or outside in the sun for too long. If the temperatures are too low, you can keep your insulin close to your body (like in the inside pockets of your jackets) to protect it from the cold.

6.    Traveling with Insulin – Plan for the unexpected.

Traveling can be hectic sometimes, and things may go wrong at any time. For instance, you may experience delayed flights or lose your insulin and other supplies. In some cases, you may even need medical assistance. Here are some things to keep in mind in case you need medical assistance while traveling.

• Research reliable healthcare pharmacies and healthcare providers around the places you’ll be traveling to.
• Wear a legible medical ID that contains information about your medication allergies, medical conditions, and insulin usage.
• Be sure to carry emergency contact details with you at all times.
• Travel-related medical expenses are not covered by some insurance plans. Therefore, it is essential to check with your provider and buy travel insurance if it’s not covered.
• Learn key phrases that may be helpful in the local dialect, such as knowing how to say, “I am a diabetes patient” or “Orange juice, kindly.” This might come in handy if you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) during your travels.
• Carry a copy of your written prescription for the medications you are taking, including insulin. Be sure to include the generic names of your current medications. This may be extremely helpful in case you lose your medications while traveling.

Conclusion

If you need to travel with insulin, it is essential to understand how to store it and the Vivi Cap – thermal insulin pen carrying case offers a practical and convenient solution.

Carrying double the amount of insulin you need is a great idea due to unexpected events such as canceled flights and other travel delays.

Moreover, you should consider that your insulin dose and schedule may need to be adjusted during travel. Your doctor may recommend administering less or more depending on the climate, diet, as well as physical activities you are engaging in.

Always consult your healthcare provider before traveling so you know how your insulin should be administered.