Preparing for hot weather and travel with diabetes this summer

As May has produced the hottest days recorded for the month in the UK, it would appear we are on course for a long hot summer. We have prepared a guide on how to self-manage diabetes in warmer conditions, in addition to offering resources to assist for planning travel while looking after the condition.

Here we offer some guidance and tips for managing your diabetes in hot weather.

Earlier in May, the UK recorded its all-time highest temperature on record for the month as parts of London reached 34.8C° on Monday.

That provisional figure, recorded in Kew Gardens, was also higher than the hottest bank holiday Monday on record, at 33.3C° on the August bank holiday in 2019.

Wales also experienced its hottest May Day, reaching 32.2C° at Hawarden Airport in Flintshire.

A statement from the Met Office said: “This heat would be exceptional in the UK even in mid-summer, let alone in May.”

Scotland and Northern Ireland recorded their highest temperatures for 2026 so far on Monday, 25^th May with readings of 25.5C° in Charterhall and 25.8C° at Derrylin in County Fermanagh respectively.

Visit the UK Health Security Agency page for Heat health alerts here

We 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. Dehydration and heat could also cause unusual wearable glucose sensor data – if the data does not fit with how you are feeling, always do a blood glucose test to confirm.
  
  
• Look after your feet. Do not 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 staying properly attached, such as continuous glucose monitoring devices, insulin patch pumps 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.

DRWF Travelling with diabetes resources

Travelling with diabetes means that we have more to think about before embarking on our journey. Being prepared well in advance of travel is key to a safe, healthy and happy experience.

Here is our guidance on how to plan for that long-awaited-trip, whether hot or cold, by air, sea, rail or road. We hope this guide will help you as you embark on your next adventure. 

Visit the DRWF information page on Travelling with diabetes