On the Beach

Keep Cool

After a day or so on holiday, you may think you've got used to the heat but unless you stay out of the midday sun and drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids, you could be in danger of sunstroke. This can not only make you feel rotten, but if you're also nauseous and are on tablets, you could lose your treatment.

Even if you are drinking plenty of water, when your body gets hotter, it reacts by increasing the blood flow through the skin. So, if you treat your diabetes by insulin, it can be absorbed more quickly than usual which may mean you need to reduce your insulin intake. We recommend you talk to your Diabetes team before heading for the sun, to discuss how your dose can be adjusted.

If you treat your diabetes with insulin and are sick, you could lose any carbohydrate you have eaten, causing an imbalance with your insulin. If you do suffer from sunstroke, and find you can't keep anything down, take sips of sugary drinks and test your blood glucose levels regularly and call on the local doctor if necessary. Remember - if you are insulin dependent, you'll need to keep your insulin cool when on the beach.

Keep your twinkle toes Twinkling

Avoid exposing your feet to sharp stones, shells or even glass on the beach or the sea bed by wearing well-fitting sandals at all times. This isn't just basic common sense; sharp materials could have more serious consequences for your feet because your nerve endings may no longer be sensitive enough to feel even the tiniest of cuts so you may not notice them until they become infected!

Relax

But not too much! If you like to lounge for hours on the beach you may not be aware of time passing, and you could forget to eat or take your treatment. When you have diabetes, you need to eat a certain amount of carbohydrate everyday to keep your blood glucose levels stable. So, pack some sandwiches in your cool bag and keep one eye on the clock. If you fall asleep, ask whoever is with you to wake you up before lunchtime. Also be aware that if you fall asleep in the sun, you could be in danger of burning or sunstroke.

Catch the rays

One of the good things about getting back from vacation or even a day at the beach is showing off a tan. But, no matter how good your tan looks, you should always remember the hidden dangers it can present.

Ever had that 'tight' feeling after a day on the beach? More dangerous than you might at first think, sunburn not only leads to premature aging, but long-term exposure can also increase the risk of skin cancer.

To minimize your risk, try to stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm (or when the sun is the most powerful), wear a hat, loose clothing and build up your tanning time gradually. Pack high factor suntan oils of at least SP 15 and remember that children and babies have particularly sensitive skin and should be well covered up and lathered in at least SP 25 sun cream.

Keep active

When you have diabetes, regular exercise is good for you as it helps to keep your blood glucose levels stable. Being on a beach is an ideal opportunity for swimming, walking or even a spot of beach volleyball. Even just running after the kids, or splashing about in the sea, could use up more energy than you realize, which could mean your blood glucose levels get low. This is another reason why you need to make sure you have lots of carbohydrate snacks in your cool bag to help get your levels up again.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

DOC11722-Rev-A 04/08