Traveling With Diabetes

Now that school is out, kids are ready to jump in the pool, play some baseball and of course, go on vacation. With routine day trips or week-long vacations, families must plan wisely when picking a destination, booking a flight, reserving a hotel and most importantly, packing a suitcase. When traveling with a child who has diabetes, those decisions can be even more challenging.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that affects an estimated 18.2 million people in the U.S., about 210,000 of whom are children under age 20. In a healthy person, insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, moves glucose into the cells where it's used for energy. However, in people with diabetes, either the pancreas produces too little or no insulin (Type 1 diabetes), or certain cells in the body are resistant and don't respond normally to the insulin that is produced (Type 2 diabetes). This inability of insulin to work properly causes glucose to build up in the blood and spill into the urine.

This life-long condition requires constant care that shouldn't be ignored, especially during the fun and easygoing days of summer when families tend to retreat. When traveling with a child who has diabetes, consider the following recommendations:

Packing the family suitcase

When traveling with your child, a family should plan ahead to make certain all the essential items are packed. Bring a bag containing:

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      All routine medical items, including insulin, syringes, blood glucose testing supplies, lancets, glucose meter, ketoses strips and a glycogen emergency kit.
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      Extra medical supplies, such as back-up insulin and any other medications.
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      Extra snacks and drinks that the child prefers.

Planning airline travel

Working with your child's diabetes team (pediatric endocrinologist, diabetes nurse educator, dietitian/nutritionist and social worker) and with your airline can result in a safe and easy flight.
Before hitting the skyways:

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      Notify the airline that your child has diabetes.
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      Schedule a consultation with your doctor if traveling through time zones so insulin dosage alterations can be planned.
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      Bring a physician's note that specifies your child's condition.
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      Place all medical items in your carry-on bag, since insulin will freeze if packed in suitcases placed in the cool storage section of the plane and because your luggage may get lost.
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      Try to pack all medical supplies in the original labeled container from the pharmacy. Since it has the name of your child, pharmacy and doctor, it also serves as extra verification of your child's condition.
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      Pack extra medical items in case of unexpected travel delays.
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      Pack snacks and drinks in case of unexpected meal delays.
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      Make sure your child wears a Medicable tag around her neck or wrist identifying that she has diabetes.

These and other medical complications put each patient at serious risk.

Spending hours outdoors

When on vacation, children are likely to be more active. In order to prevent hypoglycemia (low glucose levels that hinder energy levels during physical activity), be sure to:

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      Check blood levels more frequently throughout day, as prolonged, strenuous exercise increases the risk of hypoglycemia.
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      Eat bigger snacks since more glucose is used up during intense exercise.
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      Wear plenty of sunscreen.