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Travel and holidays

With a little preparation, living with diabetes doesn’t need to get in the way of enjoying your time away/travel. Thinking ahead about medication, supplies, and how travel might affect your routine can help you feel confident and ready for the adventure. 

It’s a good idea to pack more diabetes supplies than you’d normally need, and to spread them across hand luggage in case anything goes missing. 

If you use insulin, keeping it at the right temperature is important, especially in hot weather.   Insulin should never be placed in the hold.

Time zone changes can also affect your usual routine, so planning how you’ll manage meals, monitoring, and medication can make things run more smoothly. 

Travel insurance that covers diabetes is essential and always carry a letter from your healthcare team stating your medication, monitoring and injection equipment for the purposes of security at the airports.

Young people can also find helpful guidance through our SEREN Connect resource, with tips on travelling safely and independently and managing diabetes at festivals. 

Wherever you’re heading, a little preparation goes a long way, so you can relax, enjoy your trip, and make the most of your time away. 

 

Advice to help you care for your feet on holiday

When you are on holiday your routine and environment change and you may be more active than usual, which can put your feet at increased risk of developing problems which can become serious.

  • Check your feet regularly: inspect your feet daily for any blisters, cuts, or signs of infection, such as swelling, heat or redness. If you discover a small blister or a cut, graze or any break in the skin of your feet, cover them with a sterile dressing. Do not burst blisters.
  • Wear appropriate footwear: Avoid walking barefoot. Always wear footwear, even on the beach. The sand can become very warm and you may burn your feet without realising it. If you go into the sea, wear footwear to protect your feet. Avoid wearing ‘flip-flop’ type of footwear as this may cause blisters between your toes. If you have been supplied with prescribed shoes, do not wear any other shoes during your holiday (except when you are in the sea).
  • Stay hydrated and moisturised: Wash your feet daily in warm water and use moisturising cream to keep your skin hydrated but avoid apply this between your toes.
  • Protect your feet: Apply a high-factor sun-protection cream (factor 30 or above) to your feet or keep them covered to prevent sunburn.