Preparing for hot weather and travel with diabetes this summer

With temperatures set to rise in the coming weeks, this guide will explain how you can manage diabetes during hot weather when out in the sun. 

We've asked Dr Mayank Patel, Consultant Physician in Diabetes University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and DRWF Editorial Advisory Board member, to provide some tips for people to better manage diabetes in hot weather.

Diabetes management in hot weather

• Check blood glucose levels regularly. Hot weather and increased physical activity can increase the risk of hypos (hypoglycaemia, or low blood glucose levels). 
• Wear sun block and a hat. Avoid sunburn, as this can harm your body and cause elevated blood glucose levels. This is particularly important if you have neuropathy and as a result have altered sensation, meaning that you may not feel if sunburn is developing.
• Sunglasses. Invest in some good quality sunglasses to reduce the impact of bright light on eyes, especially if known to have eye problems already.
• Stay hydrated. Keep fluid levels up whilst avoiding excess caffeine and alcohol in high temperatures, as these can increase the risk of dehydration.
• Look after your feet. Don’t walk barefoot, particularly on hot sand and seek help early if problems arise.
• Cool medication. Keep medication and supplies as cool as possible. Extreme temperatures can affect insulin and other supplies, causing them to become less active.
• Be “hypo aware.” Carry extra supplies with you and be sure to let friends and family know how to do if this happens.
• Sweating. Extra sweating can cause problems with wearable diabetes related equipment, such as continuous glucose monitoring devices and insulin pump cannulas. You can purchase stickers and adhesives which help them stay in place.
• Heat exhaustion. Be alert for signs of heat exhaustion. These include profuse sweating, muscle cramps, tiredness, dizziness, headache and/or fainting. Symptoms can be similar to those of hypoglycaemia.

Seek medical attention immediately if any of these happen.