26 September 2023
Flying with type 1 diabetes can be daunting. Not only do you need to plan how much medication to take with you, but you also have to ensure the airport is prepared for the equipment present in your hand luggage (such as needles or vials of insulin). Type 1 diabetes doesn’t have to stop you from travelling or going on holiday abroad. However, it’s vital that you prepare and plan before setting off on your travels.
To help you begin planning your trip, we have created a guide about flying with type 1 diabetes that includes tips on how to prepare for travelling, what to take with you and how warmer or colder climates can affect your condition. We hope this guide can help you plan ahead and stay prepared whilst on holiday, so you can get the best out of your travel experiences!
Before flying with type 1 diabetes, there are some things that you will need to get in order. These will include:
When you’re diagnosed with type 1 diabetes you will have access to a healthcare team that specialises in different areas and are available to offer you advice and support.
Before planning a holiday, especially if you are travelling for a period of weeks or months, you will need to consult your GP or members of your diabetes team so they can assess and discuss your condition. They will need to ensure you can control and maintain your health during your trip and have any vital check-ups before going away.
When flying with type 1 diabetes, it’s important to stay up-to-date with any vaccinations. They can affect your diabetes, so it’s important to consult your team before and during your vaccination process to ensure your diabetes is stable before travelling.
Consider writing down a list of all your queries before your appointment to make sure you remember everything you want to discuss.
Anyone living with type 1 diabetes will need to purchase travel insurance before going away. However, be aware that standard travel insurance doesn’t always cover pre-existing conditions like diabetes and, even if it does, it may not cover all costs that could occur and affect your diabetes management, such as stolen equipment.
Make sure you read the fine print and make sure you know exactly what the policy offers. There may be other offers available, including annual diabetes travel insurance, which is ideal if you travel frequently.
If you are travelling in Europe you may be able to apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which will give you better access to medical treatment and supplies.
Getting a signed doctor’s letter with proof of your diagnosis and medication requirements is one of the most important items you need to take on holiday when flying with type 1 diabetes.
This letter will provide authoritative proof of your diagnosis and enable you to take your insulin pens, needles and other supplies with you through the airport and into other countries much easier. Take a couple of physical copies with you and try to save digital copies in case any are lost or damaged.
Also, if you’re travelling to a country whose official language is not English, get the letter translated into this language too.
You will also require medical identification to show you are diabetic in case of an emergency abroad.
If you haven’t already got a medical ID you can buy it in the form of jewellery, such as a necklace or bracelet, that is engraved to show your condition and require certain medication. You can also have telephone numbers or other personal information engraved.
If you’re flying with type 1 diabetes, the best thing you can do is plan well ahead.
The internet is your best friend, especially when it comes to researching your destination, as you can find out about the climate, local cuisine and other factors that could affect your blood sugar levels, or diabetes equipment. You should also research the location of local hospitals that have suitable facilities in case of an emergency, and nearby pharmacies and facilities that can supply the same insulin and equipment as you need.
Try to have an estimate of how long you’re going away so you can take enough equipment and medication. If you’re going on a short holiday it will be easier to estimate how much insulin and how many supplies you need, but that doesn’t mean you can’t plan for a longer trip.
It is necessary to take more supplies than you need when you’re flying with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes UK and other guides recommend taking double, but you can take more if you are able to. Make sure your medication doesn’t expire whilst you’re away or, if you’re travelling for a longer period and they do expire, organise where you can get the right supplies in the country you’re visiting.
You can get cooling cases for your insulin, including Frio or Medicool bags, that can be used to keep insulin pens or vials cool for hours without refrigeration. These are ideal when travelling to hot climates, especially if you are walking for a number of hours and don’t have access to a fridge. They can also be used in-flight to keep your insulin cool on the aeroplane.
Another important item you will need to pack is emergency contact papers. These should include phone numbers for the emergency services in the country you’ll be visiting. So, if you have a medical situation involving your type 1 diabetes, you or a travelling partner can easily contact them.
Additionally, you should have the contact details of your travelling partner (if you have one) and your family and doctor back home. This will make it possible to give medical professionals more information about your condition if you are being treated abroad and let your family or friends know if there is an emergency.
Although a doctor’s letter is usually enough to enable you to travel with your diabetes medication and equipment, it is best to contact the airline to check their own policies and make them aware of your needs.
One of the most important things to remember when flying with type 1 diabetes is where to keep your insulin. You must not put insulin in your hold luggage as it will be exposed to extreme temperatures below freezing, which can cause your insulin to become ineffective. Instead, keep your insulin and all the equipment you need in your carry-on bags so you can use them if needed on the aeroplane.
You can pack your supplies into two different bags in case a bag gets stolen or damaged, but they should be quite safe in one bag if they are with you on the aircraft. If you wear an insulin pump and have a glucose health monitor, these cannot go through an X-ray machine or the airport body scanner. Instead, your pump can go through a metal detector or you can ask for security to hand-check your pump.
There are a few factors that may affect your diabetes when flying. Firstly, flying can cause high-altitude sickness, with similar symptoms to hypoglycaemia, and it can also affect your equipment.
Some people who wear an insulin pump decide to turn this off for take-off and landing due to the pressure, which can cause air bubbles in the pump’s tubing that could affect insulin intake. However, this is not mandatory and is usually down to personal experience and preference.
Flying through different time zones will shorten or lengthen your day, which will change what time you are eating and may affect how much insulin you will need. It’s a good idea to talk through this change in insulin intake with your healthcare team before you travel.
If you are travelling on a long-haul flight, you may need to consume a meal whilst flying. If you are concerned or unsure about the food served on the aeroplane, you can call the airline in advance to enquire about their menu and nutritional values.
If this is not a suitable option, you can also enquire about bringing your own food, but this will usually be dry food such as pasta, bread and crackers. You should also make sure you have a sufficient supply of snacks that will raise your blood sugar if you experience hypoglycaemia.
Travel experiences won’t be the same for everyone flying with type 1 diabetes. This is why you need to make an appointment with your healthcare team. They can guide you and give their advice depending on your personal health, the specific equipment and medication you use and the country you’re visiting.
We have given a brief idea of the things you need to consider before flying with type 1 diabetes and, although there is a lot to take in, we hope this advice can help you to stay prepared and have the best experience when travelling to countries across the world.
For further information, we provide excellent help and advice online. For any other questions you may have, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
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