Ever wondered what colder temperatures can do to your diabetes supplies?

In this blog post, let’s learn how to best care for diabetes materials in the frigid, wintry months.

❄️ Winter Care for Diabetes

Many people rely on caffeine for its ability to boost their energy, which helps them accomplish certain tasks throughout the day. One of the most common sources for a little pick-me-up is coffee. If you have diabetes and like to incorporate caffeine into your diet, you may be wondering how it can affect your blood sugars. With colder temperatures arriving, you may be wondering how they can affect your diabetes. Many people with diabetes rely on medications or supplies such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) or insulin pumps to help manage their condition. The winter months can pose a challenge for you, as you may need to give extra attention to caring for your medications or other supplies. By being aware of the condition of your diabetes supplies during colder weather, you can ensure that your blood sugars are managed well.

colder weather

❄️ Tips for Protecting Your Diabetes Supplies

Just like extreme heat, extreme cold can also damage your diabetes medications or supplies. That’s why it is important to keep your supplies safe during the winter months.

Check out the tips below to see how you can keep your supplies protected and your diabetes under control in colder temperatures:

  • Tip #1: If you carry your medications or insulin with you, try to avoid leaving these outside or in the car. If they reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit, they may start freezing, which causes them to not work as well.

  • Tip #2: If you are traveling or planning on spending a lot of time outside, bring an insulated bag or thermal pouch to store your insulin. This will help to keep the insulin at room or refrigerated temperature and prevent it from freezing at extremely cold temperatures.

  • Tip #3: If you wear an insulin pump, make sure to wear it close to your body and try to protect it with warm clothing. This will help to prevent the device from becoming too cold, which can cause it to not work properly.

  • Tip #4: Another tip to keep in mind when using insulin pumps that are battery-powered is to have extra batteries that are stored in a warm place. Colder temperatures can sometimes drain batteries faster, so it is important to always have extras to make sure your pump continues to work.

  • Tip #5: If you wear a CGM, make sure to protect it with warm clothing as many of the manufacturers recommend that the devices stay warmer than 34 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid any malfunctions that could occur if the device gets too cold.

  • Tip #6: If you use a glucose meter, think about investing in a protective case that will keep the meter and test strips safe from colder temperatures. This can help to ensure that both items continue to give accurate readings.

Summary

Learning how to take care of your diabetes supplies in the winter is a critical part of managing your blood sugars. Colder temperatures can sometimes damage your diabetes medications and supplies, which can lead to decreased effectiveness and inaccurate readings. Remembering to wear warm clothing to protect your insulin pump or CGM is a good skill to practice to help prevent your devices from getting too cold. By consistently being aware of the colder temperatures and how you store your medications, you can safely protect your diabetes supplies in the winter months.