Traveling With A Diabetic Child Made Easier

If you are planning a trip or vacation with a diabetic child, there are many things to consider.

First and foremost, you must pack all of their diabetic supplies.

− If your child uses a pump, be sure to bring extra supplies for site changes, including insulin, infusion sets, wipes, and reservoirs.

− If your child injects insulin, be sure to have plenty of needles and pen cartridges.

Bring extra in case you run into a defective supply, or have to do more site changes than normal. When swimming, the chlorine in pool water can loosen sites and require you to change the site more often.

Keep insulin cool in a cooler or ice pack. Pack plenty of snacks/juice, and glucose tabs for low blood sugar incidents. If your child is more active walking, swimming, or hiking on vacation than he/she normally is, battling lows may become an issue. Avoid chocolate or other snacks that melt in the heat if traveling during the summer months. Some people use the small frosting packages sold in the bakery aisles of the grocery store. They are a convenient, fast, sugar source when needed. Another good source is hard candy. Stash the quick sugar in your child’s pockets/purse/bag, as well as keep it in your backpack, purse or pockets.

Bring the endocrinologist’s emergency phone number in case you need it while you are away. It is a good idea to bring ketone testing strips, extra batteries if using an insulin pump, and of course bring the emergency glucagon syringe.

A plastic bag to put the insulin pump in if by a pool or at the beach is a good idea. This will keep sand and water from compromising your pump.

− If your child uses Lantus, it might be difficult to remember to do that when off your normal routine or schedule. Set a reminder in your cell phone or write yourself a note where you will see it every day.

− If your child uses and insulin pump, you may warn him when going through security at the airport, they may ask him/her to look at the pump. Sometimes they will check their hands for residue to rule out that the pump is an explosive device. A small child may need some reassurance if this occurs.

− If you are traveling to a higher elevation, be aware this can affect blood sugar. Sometimes in higher elevations, insulin is ineffective and people struggle with high sugars. Excessive heat can damage insulin and effect sugars as well.

Tags: