Heading off on a trip can be a bit of a juggling act if you have diabetes. It's not just about keeping your blood sugar steady; you've also got to keep your insulin cool amidst all the ups and downs of travel temperatures.
Whether planning a weekend away of a long travel, it's vital to know how to manage your insulin on the go, as your pens and vials require strict storage conditions. They must be refrigerated before use and be kept out of the heat once open. Get it wrong, and it could throw your blood sugars off track and ruin your travel plans.
In this piece, we'll share some top tips on how to keep your insulin cool and safe while travelling, making sure you can enjoy your trip without worry.
Related Article: Travelling with Diabetes: How to Plan, Pack, and Fly!
Insulin Storage When Travelling
Before travelling with insulin, it's crucial to grasp the ins and outs of insulin storage to ensure it remains effective. Not every journey will require you to keep your insulin chilled, but knowing when and why it's necessary is key.
Before it's opened, insulin needs refrigeration- usually between 2°C and 8°C is ideal to keep it in tip-top condition. However, once you've started using a pen, vial, or cartridge, or if you've taken it out of the fridge, it's generally safe to keep it at room temperature, as long as it doesn't go above 25°C.
Once at room temperature, insulin typically needs to be used within about a month. The exact duration it can remain effective at room temperature varies, ranging from 28 to 56 days depending on the insulin type you're using - whether it's Humalog, Novolog, Lantus or another brand. It's a good idea to double-check the storage instructions provided by the manufacturer specific to your insulin.
Regarding these strict temperature conditions, here are a couple of scenarios to bear in mind when travelling with your insulin:
- For unopened insulin that needs refrigeration: If your insulin hasn't been opened yet, it really should stay refrigerated, unless you plan to use it within a month. Keeping these supplies in a refrigerated travel case or a mini fridge for insulin is essential during your travel.
- For opened insulin: Your opened insulin pens and vials, or the ones you plan to use within a month, can be transported at room temperature. They do not need te be transported refrigerated. But, if you're heading to a hot climate where the mercury might rise above 25°C, your insulin must be protected from the heat or it risks going bad In that case, consider using a cooling case.
Always tailor your insulin storage strategies to suit your specific travel plans and the climates you'll encounter to keep your diabetes management and blood sugar levels on track while you're away from home. Now, let's delve into the details.
Related article: International Travels with Insulin: Carrying Insulin on International Flights and Managing Time Zone Changes.
How to Travel with Insulin That Needs to be Refrigerated
Travelling with insulin that needs to be refrigerated is perfectly doable with a little preparation and the appropriate travel coolers. Let's go through a few steps to ensure your insulin remains chilled like in your home fridge, preserving its effectiveness wherever your travels may lead.
And if you find visual learning more effective, we've got just the thing for you. Dive into our fantastic video guide on how to keep your insulin refrigerated or cool when travelling.
Mini Travel Fridges for Insulin
First, it's important to remember that should your insulin goes above fridge temperature (8°C) for even a few hours during your trip, the cold chain may be broken. Carrying your refrigerated insulin in a dedicated insulin travel fridge can be a game changer and here's why:
- Accurate Storage Temperature: Mini fridges for insulin keep a consistent temperature range between 2°C and 8°C, ideal for keeping unopened insulin refrigerated on the go. Higher-end models might also include features like digital temperature displays and automatic shut-off mechanisms to prevent freezing.
- Durability and Portability: Insulin travel fridges are specially designed for the road, compact and easy to carry, making them perfect for trips where traditional refrigeration isn't available, such as long flights or remote locations.
- Compliance with Air Travel Regulations: Medical travel fridges like those from 4AllFamily are designed to meet UK, EU, and international air travel regulations, making them a stress-free option for flying with your insulin without hassle.
- Flexible Refrigeration: Offering solutions like biogel cooling packs or USB-powered options, these mini fridges can adapt to various travel situations and power sources-car adapters, solar panels, or standard plugs-ensuring your insulin stays refrigerated no matter what.
For example, the Voyager Mini Travel Fridge for Insulin is a standout choice, allowing safe refrigerated transport of up to 7 insulin pens for over 30 hours off-grid. When connected to a USB, the duration extends indefinitely.
Similarly, the Nomad Travel Cooling Cases and the Explorer, a 3-in-1 Insulin Travel Cooler, provide refrigerated storage for your insulin pens or vials-ideal for longer trips with or without access to power.
These specialised fridges offer peace of mind, knowing your insulin stays always refrigerated when you're travelling, whether you're flying, camping, hiking, or just spending time outdoors or by the hotel pool, they ensure you can enjoy your activities without ever worrying.
Related article: Flying with Insulin: How to Take it on a Plane? Airport Regulations & Insulin Coolers.
Avoid DIY cooler bags
While using an insulated lunch bag with ice packs might seem like a handy and budget-friendly way to keep your insulin cool while travelling, it's important to note that this method is not recommended for transporting refrigerated medications such as insulin.
The issue with DIY cooler bags is that they are not designed for medical purposes and can lead to highly variable internal temperatures. As the ice melts, there's also a risk of water getting into your insulin supply.
Such fluctuations in temperature can potentially compromise the integrity and effectiveness of the insulin. Unlike medical-grade cooling devices, basic insulated bags don't offer the necessary stability or reliability, nor can they guarantee that your insulin will remain properly preserved for the duration of your trip. This lack of dependable temperature control makes it unsuitable for ensuring the safety and efficacy of temperature-sensitive medications like insulin. Besides, these coolers are often not approved for air travel.
Refrigerate your insulin upon arrival
When you arrive at your travel destination, try to get your insulin in a fridge promptly. If you're using products like the Explorer or the Voyager from 4AllFamily, you'll find they can be easily plugged in at your accommodation for your entire stay. But, if these aren't an option, planning ahead is key.
Here are a few ideas to manage refrigerated insulin during your stay:
- Mini-fridge in your hotel room: You can request a mini-fridge when you book your hotel room. Most hotels are well-equipped to meet this need for medical reasons, such as storing insulin, usually without any additional charge. Once you're in your room, make it a priority to store your insulin in the fridge before you start unpacking.
- Alternative storage solutions: If a mini-fridge isn't available, don't hesitate to ask if you can use the hotel's main fridge. Make sure your insulin is stored securely and is clearly marked to prevent any confusion. If the hotel staff can't help, reach out to local pharmacies or see if nearby relatives or friends might let you use a bit of fridge space during your visit.
Making sure your insulin storage is sorted right after you arrive will help you relax and enjoy your trip without worrying about your medication.
Related article: Tips for Packing Your Insulin and Needles for Travel!
How to Keep Insulin Cool When Travelling
When you're travelling with insulin for less than a month, it's not always necessary to keep it refrigerated. Most types of insulin are stable at room temperature for about a month, which can range from 14 to 56 days depending on the insulin brand and type.
However, storing insulin at room temperature is only possible if the ambient temperature remains below 25°C.
In hotter climates, where temperatures exceed this limit, it's crucial to carry your insulin pens and vials in an insulin cooling case. Keeping your insulin cool and shielded from high temperatures is essential, as even brief exposure to heat can make your insulin go bad, affecting its effectiveness. Always ensure you have a reliable cooling solution to protect your insulin during your travels.
Related article: Insulin Storage: 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Storing Your Insulin Pens and Vials.
Choose the right insulin travel cooler case
Opt for a medical-grade insulin travel cooler to ensure your insulin is kept cool under 25°C.
While you might be tempted to use a DIY cooler with an insulated lunch bag and ice, this method is not very reliable. Issues like inconsistent cooling and the mess from melting ice can be problematic, especially since such setups are often not approved for air travel.
Consider investing in the Chiller Insulin Pouch Cooler, which provides a dependable and medical-grade cooling option for carrying in-use opened insulin pens. These coolers bags are compact and light, capable of keeping your insulin chilled for at least 45 hours without the need for ice or electricity, thanks to innovative evaporation-based cooling technology.
Other great cooling case solutions are the Rambler Insulin Pen Case, keeping insulin cool below 25°C for up to 16 hours, depending on external conditions.
For those who need to carry multiple insulin pens or larger quantities, the Companion Diabetes Cooler Bag allows you to carry up to five pens and ensures they stay cool during extended trips.
More Tips for Carrying Insulin
Here are some more helpful tips and best practices to ensure your insulin remains cool and effective during your travels:
- Avoid Sunlight Exposure: Always keep your insulin away from direct sunlight, which can quickly raise its temperature. When enjoying a meal outside, don't leave your insulin on the table; instead, store it in a shaded, cool bag or wrapped in a cloth inside your personal bag.
- Never Leave Insulin in the Car: Temperatures in a parked car can soar quickly, posing a serious risk to your insulin. Always carry it with you, even if you think you'll only be away for a short period.
- Carry What You Need: On day trips or excursions, bring just enough insulin for the day's needs, and keep the rest in a cool place back at your accommodation. This approach not only minimizes the risk but also ensures you have a backup supply if needed.
- Utilise Refrigeration: Where possible, store your insulin in a fridge at your travel destination, be it a hotel, a rental, or a friend's place.
- Guard Against Freezing: If you're headed to a colder climate, remember that insulin can also be damaged by freezing. Keep it close to your body, perhaps in an interior pocket, to use your body heat as protection against freezing. If carrying insulin in a cooling case, make sure the case has an anti-freeze safety.
- Always Have a Backup Plan: Always have a contingency plan for what to do if your insulin gets too warm or deteriorate. Check with your travel insurance provider in advance to see if they cover the loss of medication so you're prepared in case of emergencies.
Related Article: Diabetes Travel Letter: Everything You Need to Know + Free Printable Sample
We'd Love to Hear From You!
Are you an avid traveller with insulin? We'd love to hear how you keep your insulin cool on the go. What are your tips and tricks for keeping insulin refrigerated or cool while you explore the world? Drop your stories and suggestions in the comments below - your insights could be a lifeline for fellow travelers!
