It’s summer!! I mean it really is finally summer! Some areas have been enjoying great weather for a bit but where I live–well, I kind of wondered if summer was ever going to show up. Now that it is really here, let’s talk about a few tips for managing diabetes in the summer months.
Keep your insulin and test strips cool.
Summer heat can literally ruin blood glucose test strips and insulin. If you are on injections, make sure to keep your insulin stored in a cool place. If you are pumping, again, make sure that your pump doesn’t get overheated. You may even want to consider changing out your cartridges more often to ensure that your insulin is fresh and hasn’t been compromised by the heat.
Test strips also react to extreme temperatures. Again, make sure that they are stored in a cool place. If you are traveling to the beach or theme parks, you may want to invest in a FRIO Insulin Cooling Pump Wallet or a Breezy Pack. They are convenient little cooling packs that will help to keep things chilled.
If you don’t have access to Frio packs, another great suggestion is to use frozen juice packs. You can keep your supplies cool and are prepared for lows!
Mastistol, vet’s tape and Antiperspirant could be your new best friends.
Summer often means increased heat and more time at the pool.
Heat can cause your infusion sets or continuous glucose sensors to slide off despite your best efforts.
Swimming often means exposure to chlorine. Personally, the only way for us to keep sites on in chlorine was by making sure that a product like Mastisol Liquid Adhesive was used on the skin prior to set insertion.
For people using an insulin pump and/or a CGM, you may also want to look at using an antiperspirant on the site. Apply a light coat of antiperspirant (not deodorant) to the insertion site area. This will help to keep sites in place when your body begins to sweat!
A third option is to look at securing the site with vet tape. The same tape that keeps bandages on our furry friends can be perfect to secure an infusion set or sensor in place during the summer!
Have snacks everywhere.
Managing your diabetes in the summer heat can bring its own challenges for managing diabetes. It tends to mean more exertion and rapidly dropping blood glucose levels. Make sure to carry extra snack foods with you wherever you go. One parent suggests that you stock up on Freezies. They are perfect treats for lows and also help ward off dehydration. Other families have suggested fruit and frozen grapes as must have snacks for on the go.
Drink lots of water.
Dehydration is a real problem in the heat. It is especially important for people living with diabetes to stay hydrated because dehydration will cause blood glucose levels to spike.
Check BG levels often.
Heat, exhaustion and the fun of the sun can really mess with blood glucose levels so make sure that you check blood glucose levels often to avoid any serious diabetes-related emergencies.
Bring extras!
As I have said, infusion sets can fall out. Blood sugar levels can go crazy. It is vital that you carry extras of everything–extra snacks, extra water, extra test strips, extra insulin and extra infusion sets just in case.
Wear sunscreen.
I know, everyone is supposed to wear sunscreen so really is this a diabetes issue? Well no…and yes! It turns out that sunburns have been known to really mess with blood glucose levels. The moral of the story? Stay hydrated and wear sunscreen can actually help you when you are managing diabetes in the summer!
Have fun!
Finally, in Canada especially, we just don’t seem to see summer for long enough so plan ahead and enjoy all that this summer has to offer you and your family!
If you are planning on traveling to find the sun this year, don’t forget to check out our complete travel checklist so that you don’t forget anything before you go!
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All good suggestions.
Great information to have!!!
Regarding the recommendation to use “vet tape” to secure a pump infusion or CGM location: when I searched “vet tape” online to purchase, it said that the vet tape sticks only to itself, not to skin or hair. That implies that the tape would need to be wrapped around the body part with the pump infusion or the CGM sensor. But HOW would that be done when the infusion set or CGM is in the abdomen or buttocks? I cannot imagine wrapping those parts with the vet tape!
Sadly you are right! The vet tape is best on arms or legs. I have heard of parents who wrap their children’s abdomen however 😯
Nextcare Flexible Plastic Tape works great for my CGM – stretches and bends and sticks even when wet. It comes in a scotch tape type dispenser so easy peasy. Available at Shopper’s Drug Mart and not expensive.
Thanks for the great tip! We will definitely check it out.