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Top 10 Best Diabetes Insulin Supply and Travel Case
Top 10 Best Diabetes Insulin Travel Cases
When you have diabetes, you know how painful it is to travel with the entire insulin supply; there are numerous things at once, and also they are fragile.
So, in that situation, you need to have good quality insulin travel cases to support the whole package you are carrying. There are several different things like test strips, medications, glucose meter, and other backup items.
Hence, Top 10 Best Diabetes Insulin Supply and Travel Case.
Insulin:
Insulin is a hormone that is created by the beta cells in the pancreatic islets. It is responsible for regulating the proper metabolism of different components like Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats by helping the glucose in getting absorbed in the fat, muscles and liver cells from the blood.
The glucose is further then converted into glycogen or fats, and when it is the liver tissues, it is converted into both the forms.
The excessive production of glucose is controlled by the insulin present in the blood. Insulin circulation also has effects on the manufacture of proteins. Thus if the insulin levels go down in your blood, it has harsh effects on your whole body.
Types of Insulin: There are various types of Insulin’s, but there are three main types of them:
- Fast-acting insulin: This insulin is very quickly absorbed into the blood from the fat tissues. This is also helpful when one wants to control or correct sugar levels in the blood while having meals or snacks or even when one wants to correct high levels of sugar in the blood.
- Intermediate-acting Insulin: This insulin is absorbed slowly and very steadily in the blood and also lasts a lot longer than the other ones. This is mainly had between meals or to control blood sugar levels while fasting and also overnight.
- Long-lasting Insulin: This is absorbed in and from the blood very slowly. This doesn’t primarily have peak effects but works slowly with time and lasts a long time. This is also used while fasting and for controlling sugar levels overnight.
Insulin Cases:
Now, what happens when you are traveling? You need to carry every single dose that you have to take. Sometimes there are injections and pens too. But you have to take them very carefully and with absolute safety.
So, that nothing breaks or is spilled onto your luggage. They have their packaging, but an extra cover is always appreciated like Diabetes kit bags or insulin carrying case.
You need to make sure that they are sealed away inside something very safe, durable and also handy. Now, there are many types of them with different sizes, colors, durability, material, etc. So here are the top 10 picks for your best Insulin carrying cases:
Top 10 Best Diabetes Insulin Supply and Travel Case
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FRIO Duo Insulin Cooling Wallet
This is one of the diabetes bags that is meant especially for using or carrying Insulin during summers. They are said for keeping the insulin safe and cool during extreme heat situations.
If you are traveling during summer to someplace outside or if you have to carry a lot of it in extreme situations then this is an excellent package that will come handy.
Given the hot conditions, this diabetes kit bag perfect for winters too; it stops the cold from getting inside and reacting with Insulin. The insulin, when kept in this, can be directly activated with some cold water itself and doesn’t require cooling additionally since it is always kept fresh inside the package.
It is very compact and comes in the shape of a wallet and can be carried with your luggage quickly. It is also reusable and keeps your insulin safe!
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Chill Pack Insulin Diabetic Pen/Syringes Pocket Cooler Case
This is an Insulin pen case or Insulin syringes. When you need to carry pens or syringes for distances, and they cannot be refrigerated, this is the best option for you. They come with two ice packs that keep your syringes or the pens safe and cold while the temperature outside might be scorching hot.
If you are traveling a very short distance, this is ideally suitable because of the ice packs included. You may want to choose something else for longer distances though.
This can be carried well quickly with your luggage and is subtle and portable alone too. This contains ice packs as the cooling agent, and the water is non-toxic and completely purified, re-usable after freezing again. It is BPA free, and the size is 7.25″ x 3.2″ x 1.2″ which is perfect as an Insulin pen case.
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Medport Diabetes Travel Organizer
Suppose you are traveling for almost two weeks and you need instant insulin support then this would be an excellent choice for you amongst many diabetic supply cases. There is a cold side to it which will help you in carrying the Insulin and also the Med Ice that is there in it.
There is a monitor that checks the temperature on the cold side too, and that is named the MEDtemp. The one hand with the normal room temperature can carry all other supplies like the strips, the glucose meter, etc.
You also get one detachable waist pouch that helps you in storing any waste product till you find a proper place to throw it all away. This comes with two ice packs also which you can refreeze, and there is a strap that is included for carrying it easily.
The size of the organizer would be 9.5 x 2.5 x 6 inches and weighs around 2 pounds.
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ChillMED Premier Diabetic Travel Bag w/Shoulder Strap
This diabetic carrying case is meant to keep your insulin cold and safe from the outside temperature. It keeps the whole pack of insulin cold for 24 hours straight, and it stays on 48 degrees Fahrenheit approx.
This has different small pockets inside which helps you keep your different meds or the Insulin shots as per your liking. This also comes with elastic holders for other different things that you might need to carry with you while you are out.
This is made from 600 denier nylon and is adamant regarding durability.
It is quite attractive when talked regarding a medical bag, and it is absolutely perfect as a diabetic bag for use daily. This also comes with a zipped pocket outside which can come handy while transporting.
The size of the bag is 11″ x 9″ x 3″, and it comes with a shoulder strap too. One of the best insulin travel cases.
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Insulin Protector Case Insulin Cooler
This insulin travel case keeps the insulin or your insulin dose cold for around 12 hours or so. It comes with two different Ice packs, and while you are using one, you can easily refrigerate the other one and vice versa.
This can carry two full bottles of Insulin of any brand. This also has pockets inside that are useful for keeping syringes, pens or other strips and meters.
The pockets inside are made with keeping in mind the sizes of needles or swatches and so they fit properly. The case/organizer comes in a dark blue color.
The Insulin is kept in an excellent condition and is always chilled so that its effectiveness is not altered. This insulin carrying case is for everyday use and smaller travel hours.
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Gold wheat Portable Insulin Cooler Bag Diabetic Organizer Medical Travel Cooler
This is an excellent protective Insulin carrying case or organizer for the Insulin that you are carrying around. It doesn’t require any kind of power with it, and the size is very convenient.
The package comes with one bag for the Insulin and two ice packs that can be used alternatively. The ice packs are to stay in the freezer for a good 6-8 hours before you use them for your insulin bag.
There are different sections made into the bag that will keep the various things in different areas and not let them mix up. The sides are of good quality tin foil and with Velcro which helps in storage but also cleaning.
The aluminum also is an excellent resistant for heat, so that is another great thing. Its size is 7.87*3.54*1.57 inches, and it weighs around 6.4 ounces.
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Insulpak Insulated Medication Travel Bag with Electronic Temp Display
This is a diabetic kit bag that is meant for anything that is very sensitive to temperature change or even when it comes to contact. This storage kept the contents inside it cold and chilled for about 30 hours, and thus it is perfect for traveling even long hours or doing long shifts outside.
There is an extra storage place that is meant for keeping all the new meters, strips or syringes inside and away from the Insulin.
This also comes with a 24 oz Ice block that you can put into the freezer for hours before you start traveling. This has a shoulder strap that helps you while you are carrying it outside or for longer distances.
This also has a temperature displayed that will show you the temperature all the 30 hours.
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Medical Insulin Cooler Travel Bag with Cooling Panels
This bag comes with two cooling panels as the name suggests, they are filled with non-toxic elements and are fitted on two sides for keeping your insulin cool. This doesn’t use old gels which in turn are tricky to use.
This is so compact you can carry it anywhere starting from your simple handbag to bigger luggage. This is a great organizer and can be named as the best diabetic carrying case for when you are traveling.
This is also very healthy for kids as well as for elders. This comes with a year’s guarantee and is equipped with different compartments for different things. This is almost like carrying a small refrigerator with yourself.
The insulated pack is to be frozen for either overnight or 12 hours at least. It is also suitable for pens since they are kept entirely inside the case and incorrect temperature.
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Chill Pack Diabetic/Medication Cooler Travel Case
This is ideally made and manufactured for Insulin pens or syringes or the supply kits and medicines that come along with them. They can also be the stripes or the swatches.
This is a soft and yet thick cooler bag that keeps your things in perfect situations and temperatures. It comes with a pocket outside and different compartments that are present inside.
This comes with an 8oz gel pack that is meant to keep the insulin chilled when you are going outside for a longer time. This comes in black color, so you don’t need to worry about vibrant bags and are very easy to carry for outside uses. The size of the case is 5″ X 8.25″X 1″.
Although they have the ice packs, they do not have any extra cooling substance for keeping the insulin cool. They can last for about 3 hours max.
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Diabetic Supplies Travel Case Organizer
This is a very protective hard case for carrying your insulin in extreme weather situations and is resistant to inclement weather. This comes in Nylon material that is perfect for ACCU-CHEK Nano, TRUEtest, etc. other kinds of testing kits.
This has different sections for organizing all your other medical stuff that comes along with diabetes tools. They can be strips, syringes, or pens.
The size of the case is about 10*6.5*3.5 inches. The company gives 3 years extended guarantee which is great.
The inner compartments have the Velcro system which helps one to sort different materials out without having to fiddle with it. It is super friendly when you are traveling because of the compact and portable design.
You can carry it anyway, inside the luggage or backpack or even with yourself in a handbag. The bag also comes with Syringes and Vials which if you think about is great.
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These are the top 10 picks when we talk about Diabetes supply cases, and they are great quality-wise. You will always need something very handy when you have to carry something so sensitive.
So, it is important you choose very carefully what you store your medicines in. they all have different specifications, and we recommend you choose one according to your needs!
FAQ on Insulin Travel Case
How do I keep my insulin cold while traveling?
Keeping insulin cold most especially in the heat is a real setback for those that don’t have a fridge, icepack, or Frio wallet and carry cases.
Insulin can only handle short trips when it is not refrigerated. You mustn’t keep your Insulin inside a bag or car when traveling, it can heat up quickly and start to deactivate when caught up in hot air or under the sun.
A diabetic patient is exposed to danger already when inside heat as it causes you to become dehydrated causing the glucose levels to increase and the body produces more Insulin, and this is why you have to try as much as possible to keep your insulin cold too to avoid complications for your health.
You can use a portable cooler to keep your insulin cold while traveling but avoid allowing the Insulin to touch ice or ice packs. If your traveling is going to be for a long time, you might consider using another insulin cooling case or wallet to maintain its coolness.
There are also lunch boxes with little freezer packs mostly use to preserve salads and fresh vegetables, these too can be used to keep your Insulin safe and cool. It is available in different sizes and you can choose the one that will work best for you.
Some amazing bags and wallets are specially made to keep insulin cool, such as;
- Medicool: Penplus Range
Medicool consists of a range of bags that have insulation such as PenPlus case which can protect valuable supplies. It is used by both young and old and even by senior and medical personnel, you can attach it to a belt or carry by its detachable hand strap or placed inside a purse or traveling bag. It keeps the insulin pens or insulin vials and injections cool for about 12 hours using a refreezable gel pack.
- Frio Wallets and Carry Cases:
Frio has a series of simple and easy cooling wallets, it is very light and compact. It is perfect for people with diabetes on insulin therapy to transport or store Insulin, most notably when traveling to a hot region. The Insulin is kept safe without the use of refrigerator, activated by water only, and use over and over again.
It is the exposure of too much heat that can deactivate Insulin, Insulin should be kept in hand luggage when taking a flight.
How do you preserve Insulin when traveling?
Ensure that your Insulin is kept away from heat and light
When traveling either by bus, train or plane, make sure you keep your Insulin with you in a carry-on bag or an insulated bag like your lunch bag
Never leave your Insulin in a parked car when temperatures are extreme
Keep your Insulin properly from getting too hot or too cold, never allow your Insulin to freeze nor get hot. Too hot is above 800F and too cold is below 360F.
Do not place your Insulin in the checked luggage as the temperature fluctuations can damage it
For a diabetic patient traveling by air, your carry liquids such as Insulin or gels must treat hypoglycemia.
When traveling in cold temperatures, keep your Insulin close to your body to avoid freezing.
How long can Insulin be left unrefrigerated
Insulin is highly sensitive to temperatures that are too high or low, this is why it is advisable to always store all insulin supplies in the refrigerator.
According to the product labels from all the three U.S. Insulin manufacturers recommends that Insulin be stored in a fridge at about 360F to 460F. When it is unopened and stored this way, the product maintains potency until the expiration date on the brand or the package.
Insulin, just like protein being dissolved in a liquid can spoil if kept out for long, and needs to be refrigerated to keep it from spoiling. This happens in such a way that the bacterial growth in the Insulin starts to break the protein but when kept cool in the refrigerator, it prevents bacterial growth and ensures its durability.
When Insulin is not being used, it should be kept between 36 degrees and 46 degrees Fahrenheit. On getting cold, it can freeze, and also if it’s too hot, it will be suitable for a while and eventually break down and spoil. This doesn’t mean that the Insulin not kept in the refrigerator will make one sick or poison you, it will not be as effective as it should due to loss of potency.
It should also be noted that insulin products that are in cartridges or vials be it opened or unopened can be left unrefrigerated between 590F and 860F for 28days but for Insulin that has been altered for dilution or by removal from manufacturer’s original vial should be disposed within two weeks.
Keeping your Insulin refrigerated doesn’t warrant a more extended period of use, Insulin has a limit of the lifespan and it’s essential to stop usage after it has expired regardless of the refrigerating.
How long do Frio bags last?
Frio cooling bags are guaranteed for one year. For ideal use and performance, it is recommended to renew your FRIO wallet every two years.
How do you fly with Insulin?
Usually, when patients who want to travel overseas are expected to schedule an office visit with their health care provider 4-6 weeks before departure, this will provide the patients more information regarding time zone insulin adjustment strategies and other common travel-related problems.
Traveling overseas is challenging for people with diabetics especially those on Insulin. However, patients should ensure medications has the proper labels with the name that correlates with the passenger’s ticket.
If you want to fly with Insulin, you should ensure proper prescription from your doctor for every diabetes supply you will be carrying along. The prescription should match the one on your ticket, this also applies to any glucose monitoring device you might be wearing as the Travelling Agents are likely to be unfamiliar with them.
Ensure you take along with your syringes and vials of Insulin in their original packaging which must have prescriptions from your doctor. Having an insulin pump is not enough, go with back-up Insulin and syringes and there is no need to worry about Insulin not being cooled nor refrigerated, it will stay cool in normal temperature for several hours.
How do you store Insulin without Electricity?
There are methods by which you can store Insulin without electricity since Insulin needs to be maintained at a temperature below 860F, there have to be other means to keep it at that level in the absence of electricity and the hot weather.
As earlier discussed, there are various cooling wallets and evaporative coolers to store Insulin, which are mostly activated by water and keeps the Insulin for several hours. Some of these insulin cooling cases do not require ice packs or refrigeration but when you reactivate it, it will give you more days to get a new source of Insulin.
You can also use an insulated bag or lunchbox with a cold pack, ice, or frozen food from your freezer to keep your Insulin cool but you have to ensure that the Insulin is not placed directly on a cold pack, frozen food, or ice.
The research was also made that you can also store your Insulin in a hole in the ground but this is advisable to practice if there are no other cold storage options.
You will dig a gap of about four feet or even deeper, then you put the Insulin which is in a watertight container, this will help to preserve the bottle to about 500F and usually, Insulin should be kept below 400F and must not be freeze.
Can you travel with ice packs on a plane?
According to TSA, frozen liquid items are allowed through the checkpoint as far as they are presented Frozen for screening, should in case the frozen item becomes melted, slushy, or having liquid at the bottom of the container.
It has to meet the 3-1-1 liquids requirement meaning;
- Should be put inside a container of 3.4 ounces or less
- All must fit into a sealable 1-ounce bag
- 1 bag per passenger
You will also be allowed to come along with a quarter-sized bag of liquids, gels, creams, aerosols through the checkpoint. From the medical standpoint, gel ice packs in reasonable quantities are allowed regardless of their physical state, be it melted or slushy.
It is also essential you notify the TSA officer at the checkpoint on inspection.
How long is Insulin good in the fridge?
The coolers for storing Insulin are only good for keeping the insulin cool while traveling, one must also be careful not to go for a cooler that keeps your Insulin stocked at fridge temperature, there are few of them though not very common.
Open vials are stored in the fridge or cooled at room temperature. For open Insulin, no matter where it is stored lasts for 28 days and must be thrown in the trash after that. Before you inject any insulin that has been kept in the fridge, it has to be outside the fridge for a while till it reaches room temperature before injection.
Does Insulin need to be refrigerated when traveling?
Insulin doesn’t necessarily need to be refrigerated when traveling. As far as you have freezer bags with ice packs, or any other medication cooler, keeping your Insulin in these bags is perfect for travel or any trip. However, it is always important to carry extra Insulin out with you in case of an emergency.
There are also some clever lunch boxes with little freezer packs which are often used to keep salads cool and fresh, even other kinds of foods as the case may be. This will also work correctly to keep your Insulin cool and there are different sizes you can always choose to fit your taste.
Is it OK to cold Insulin?
As earlier mentioned, injecting cold Insulin is not good and even makes the injection more painful. If you detect that your Insulin is freeze, it is advisable to keep it cool at room temperature. Insulin kept at room temperature lasts for about 1 month.
You can only store Insulin in a refrigerator for a long time when you buy more than one bottle at a time. Then you keep other containers in the fridge while you keep at room temperature the one that you want to use.
It is not advisable to store your Insulin in the freezer, direct sunlight, inside a parked car, and underneath a piece of luggage. Also do not store your Insulin near extreme heat or extreme cold.
Before you open your Insulin, you can keep it in the fridge and it lasts until expiration date but during use, the Insulin should be kept at room temperature and should be used for a few weeks.
Do I need a letter to fly with Insulin?
TSA allows diabetic travellers to come along with all their necessary supplements in carry-on luggage and the other ones also will be thoroughly checked at the checkpoint.
Insulins must be appropriately labelled together with the syringes, the pens should be properly capped and safely keep in a separate container. All items should be packed in resealable plastic bags to pack it easily after being checked for quick retrieval, all Insulin should be packed inside a carry-on pouch if possible.
Getting a letter from your doctor is essential and must state the primary importance of the need to carry your Insulin and syringes and also the insulin pump when traveling.
This letter should be presented to the security or the staff. Should in case you encounter further challenges in taking them along, you can get in contact with a senior colleague because diabetes patients should no longer have a complicated issue for traveling with their Insulin.
Suppose you must wear an unremovable insulin pump, ensure you avoid the body scanner of an X-ray machine that is used in screening travelers before they are allowed inside the plane.
In that case, you can always request for a hand search from an agent of the same gender with you to run his or hands over your body to check for dangerous equipment or weapons.
You should also make known to the agent the reason why you are wearing the insulin pump demonstrating where it is located in your body. However, it is expedient that the TSA verify the pump and ensure it is not a concealed explosive device.
Is Insulin good after 30 days?
You must know that Insulin remains sufficiently potent until its expiration date if stored properly. It would be best if you never used Insulin after it has expired, the expiration date of Insulin usually will be stamped on the vial or pen.
If not stored in the fridge, the date does not count anymore and it must be thrown away after 28 days since its outside the refrigerator.
Unopened Insulin is stored inside the fridge at 360F to 460F. If Insulin is unopened, it can be stored in the refrigerator until the expiration date on the Insulin and expiration date is usually about 1 year from the date of purchase, you should check the label to find out.
Vials and Pens are stored differently which is why you have to be more familiar with the recommendations for the type of insulin product you use.
Once a vial is punctured, it is opened and can be stored in the fridge or kept under room temperature. Open Insulin will only last 28 days regardless of where it is stored and must be disposed of.
Insulin pens should never be stored in the fridge but rather be stored at controlled room temperature. The number of days a pen lasts depends on the type of pen being used, this is why most times, you need to ask your doctor if your particular Insulin has a short life span or a long life span.
Pens last for about 7-28 days if stored at controlled room temperature. When Insulin is said to be opened, it means that the cap has been removed or the rubber has been punctured.
Do you massage insulin injections?
Firstly, know that Insulin needs to be injected into fatty areas of your body and not on the muscles, you should avoid injecting a wounded area like scar tissues, swelling moles, bruised sites, and so on.
You should also avoid injecting into your arm and leg when about to do exercise. However, the few areas that are most preferable to inject for Insulin to be absorbed into the body are; the fleshy part of the thigh, back of the upper arm, the abdomen and the buttocks.
Before you inject into the stomach, you should stay away three inches from the belly button. For thighs, the font and the outer area are right and for the arms, you may inject into the fatty tissue between the shoulder and the elbow.
The lower area part of the buttocks should be avoided when you want to inject the buttocks.
To use the syringe, the best way to do this is to pinch the area using your thumb and index finger, ensuring a couple of inches of skin and fat to avoid inserting it into the muscle.
Inject, release the skin and remove the needle after the whole liquid has gone into the body, then release pinch-up. People who take Insulin daily should always rotate the area of the injections to avoid breaking down of skin or builds up under the skin.
After Insulin has been injected, don’t massage the injection site, this can create an unusual glucose response. You can only massage over the site of subcutaneous insulin injection to enhance to absorption of Insulin.
In case you notice minor bleeding from the injection site, apply light pressure to that area with gauze and cover with a bandage. Avoid the use of Insulin that is thickened, grainy, or discoloured.
Can I take my insulin pen and needles on a plane?
I have explained earlier that you should never keep your Insulin in checked baggage since the baggage compartments of an aeroplane can get very cold or hot and either of this can make the Insulin lose its potency.
You should have your insulin pen and needles plus other medication in a carry-on bag which must be with you inside the plane. When you have your carry-on bag close to you, it will make it easier for you to take your insulin pen and needles every time you need to.
You must dispose of sharps after use, most airports and aeroplanes restrooms have sharps containers or something like a dustbin or seat pocket.
When taking a plane, you can pack larger sharps containers along in your checked luggage to use after arrival and for hours you will be spending inside the plan, you might use a bottled water container with a screw cap as an alternative.
Your insulin pens and needles with the monitoring strips can fit inside the bottled box though it’s difficult to remove because of the narrow and the smallmouth opening, just that the bottle is easily attainable, the plastic is clear which makes sharp identification easier by anyone who sees it even after departure, it can also be tightly closed without falling off suddenly.
Can Insulin lose their effectiveness?
Insulin can lose their effectiveness when exposed to very hot or cold weather. Also, unopened Insulin stored in the refrigerator is not safe to use when it has expired. The expiration date for Insulin is usually about 1 year from the date of purchase.
Will expired Insulin hurt you?
Once Insulin has gone beyond its expiry date, the potency of the product will change and if your Insulin has lost its power, there is no guarantee that the Insulin will work as promised past that date. Expired Insulin can also hurt you and may increase your blood sugar level known as Hyperglycemia which has severe side effects and complications.
What is the ideal temperature for insulin storage?
Insulin should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature between 360F to 460F. Cartridges and pens currently in use should be stored at room temperature between 560F to 860F.
Thanks for reading Top 10 Best Diabetes insulin travel case.
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