• You may need some advice on timing of your meals and medication especially if you have a long flight.
• If it has been a while since your last diabetic check, it would be worth coming in for a review before you go.
• As people with diabetes are more prone to infections, look after yourself, especially your feet.
• Avoid cuts and grazes, but if they occur, treat them promptly with antiseptic from your medical kit .
• If wounds are looking infected seek medical advice quickly.

Insulin Dependent
If you are on insulin and planning a trip abroad, you need to speak to whoever is looking after your diabetes. Depending on your insulin regime and direction of travel around the world, doses, or even insulin type may need to be changed.

Local contact numbers:

• Trafford Diabetes team - 0161 746 2458
  
• Wythenshawe Diabetes team - 0161 291 2888
  
• MRI diabetes team - 0161 276 6700
• If you are under a private consultant only, please contact him/her.
• If you have any problems, please ring either:
  Sister Brayzier or myself, Dr. Cranston on 980 3835.

A useful contact point for advice is the:

Diabetes U.K.Careline
(formerly The British Diabetic Association)
10, Queen Anne Street, London W1M OBD
Main Switchboard for general/administrative queries
(Tel:- 0207 323 1531)
Careline:- Tel: 0207 636 6112
- For assistance with specific concerns related to diabetes. Leaflets and information including 'Travel Guide' to the more popular countries visited abroad, with advice pertinent to the needs of diabetics.

General advice for insulin dependent diabetics

• Keep your insulin with you. It will freeze in the aircraft hold.
• You could store it in an open-topped flask to keep it cool.
• Make sure you take enough insulin, needles, syringes, testing strips - the whole caboodle.
• Take a letter with you from your GP to explain why you are carrying syringes etc. You may get stopped in certain countries.
• Take a "sharps" bin to discard used needles and syringes. (A domestos bottle would do )
• Make sure you have access to sandwiches, snacks etc in case of plane delays.
• If you are prone to travel sickness take an anti-sickness tablet; vomiting can make you hypo.
  Carry diabetic identification and inform any travel companions / stewardess that you are diabetic.
• Test your blood sugar more often as your routine is likely to be upset.
• Don't run your control too tight when flying, it is better to be very slightly higher than normal than hypo.