Traveling with diabetes can feel like a juggling act. Between managing blood sugar, insulin needs, and the occasional health hiccup, preparation is key to ensuring a smooth trip. Without the right supplies, a dream vacation can quickly turn into a stressful situation. Here are the three essential items that anyone with diabetes should pack before heading off on an adventure. These items can make all the difference in managing diabetes while away from home.

1. 2-3x Your Expected Diabetes Supply Needs

When it comes to traveling with diabetes, redundancy is critical. For anyone using an insulin pump, it’s wise to pack twice—or even three times—the usual amount of supplies needed for the trip. This includes infusion sets, reservoirs, adhesives, and any other accessories that ensure the insulin pump is functioning properly throughout the trip.

Why this is essential:

• Unpredictability: Even with careful planning, things can go wrong—like infusion sites falling off or pump malfunctions. Having extra supplies on hand helps mitigate these issues and ensures that the traveler is never left without a way to manage their insulin needs.

• Peace of mind: Traveling can already be stressful without worrying about diabetes management. Packing extra supplies helps reduce anxiety, allowing the traveler to enjoy the trip with one less concern.

• Example: If two site changes are expected, packing six infusion sets guarantees that there’s no need to stress over unexpected issues.

Pro Tip: Always keep insulin pump supplies in a carry-on bag. In case of luggage delays or lost bags, having supplies on hand can prevent disaster.

2. Lavior Diabetes Wound Gel & Lavior First Aid Gel

Lavior First Aid Gel: Fast-acting relief for cuts, burns, and wounds, helping prevent infections and speed healing, especially for those with diabetes. (*https://lavior.com/lavior-diabetic-first-aid-gel-proven-accelerated-healing/)

For anyone managing diabetes, healing cuts, scrapes, and pump site issues efficiently is crucial. Lavior’s Diabetes Wound Gel and First Aid Gel should be part of any diabetic traveler’s kit.

Lavior Diabetes Wound Gel: This gel is formulated specifically to address wounds common in people with diabetes, such as insulin pump site scars and diabetic ulcers. It helps speed up the healing process and prevents complications, making it ideal for healing older insulin pump sites or preventing scarring.

Lavior First Aid Gel: Accidents are inevitable, whether it's a cut from a sharp object or a burn from the sun. The First Aid Gel is designed to protect and heal minor injuries quickly. For those with diabetes, even small wounds can take longer to heal, and this gel can help speed up the process.

Why these gels are essential:

• Preventing complications: The Lavior Diabetes Wound Gel acts as a proactive solution to prevent scar tissue formation at insulin pump sites. With diabetes slowing the body’s natural healing process, using this gel helps speed recovery.

• Quick protection: Whether exploring the outdoors or dealing with a busy schedule while traveling, the Lavior First Aid Gel protects against infection and aids healing, essential for anyone with a slower healing time.

Pro Tip: Keep these gels in a travel-sized bottle for easy access on the go. They can be a lifesaver in an emergency.

3. Backup Long-Acting and Short-Acting Insulin Pens

Even if a traveler uses an insulin pump, it’s crucial to pack backup insulin pens. A malfunction or unexpected issue with the pump could leave them without a way to get insulin, so having long-acting and short-acting pens ensures they can manage their diabetes, even in a pinch.

Why this is essential:

• Technology fails: Insulin pumps can experience technical issues, batteries can die, or infusion sites can become blocked. Having insulin pens as a backup ensures that insulin delivery doesn’t stop if the pump breaks down.

• Convenience and reliability: Insulin pens are compact, portable, and easy to use. Whether in a remote location or a busy city, pens are a reliable option for maintaining proper insulin management while traveling.

• Emergencies: If something happens to the pump or if access to supplies becomes limited, insulin pens offer a practical solution to continue managing diabetes without skipping a beat.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to pack extra needles with the insulin pens. Being fully stocked with everything needed ensures there's no interruption in care.

The Key to a Stress-Free Trip: Be Prepared

Traveling with diabetes doesn’t have to be stressful, but it does require some planning. Packing these three essentials—extra insulin pump supplies, Lavior Diabetes Wound Gel & Lavior First Aid Gel, and backup insulin pens—helps eliminate much of the worry that can come with managing diabetes while away from home.

The goal is to have everything needed to manage diabetes so that the focus can stay on enjoying the trip, not on medical concerns. With these items in hand, travelers can feel confident and prepared to tackle any situation that arises.

Remember: It’s always better to have these items on hand and not need them than to find yourself in a tough situation without the right supplies. Being well-prepared is the key to a smooth and enjoyable trip, no matter where the journey takes you.

Ben Tzeel