This summer our Breakthrough T1D intern, Kristina Davidson, will be sharing some tips for living the best life possible with diabetes, proving that with some extra care and planning, you can live life to its fullest.

[Kristina with her lab, Penni Pancake]

As Texas temperatures rise and we all feel the heat, extra precautions are necessary to keep insulin and supplies functioning properly. I’ve collected a few tips and tricks that might be beneficial to you!

1.  Never leave your insulin in a hot car or in direct sunlight. Exposing your insulin to temperatures above 86 degrees Fahrenheit or below 36 degrees Fahrenheit can weaken the potency.

2.  Extreme temperature swings can affect the accuracy of meters and test strips. Avoid keeping your meter and supplies in your car and don’t leave your equipment outside in direct sunlight.

3.  Invest in a way to keep your insulin cold even when traveling. Companies make cold packs designed to insulate pens and vials when a fridge isn’t available.

4.  For pump users, excessive perspiration can loosen the adhesive securing the infusion set. If this becomes a problem, try using an antiperspirant on the insertion site after your normal skin-preparation routine.

5.  While everyone enjoys a nice tan, a nasty sunburn can cause blood sugars to skyrocket. Be sure to use sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful rays.

Here are just a few tips to get you through these scorching months without any problems! For more tips on how to survive the heat, visit the dLife website.

As always, the Breakthrough T1D Dallas Website has resources for your reference. However, if there is a topic that you would like to hear more about, please post a comment below or email us at jtresp@BreakthroughT1D.org.