Temp of insulin...

[lauraw1983]

Sorry possibly a daft question but not sure if I am right in worrying about this or not....

I know I keep insulin refrigerated, and once in use it has to be chucked after 30 days.

We are going away next month to Center Parcs on holiday, and previously we spend large chunks of the day in the swimming pool there....

The pool is "tropically heated" and the changing room areas are also always VERY warm!

In my locker I will have my fruit pastilles just incase, and of course insulin. Should I worry it might be too warm in there as it could be hours?! Should I buy a Frio pouch to keep it in....??

Sorry for a million questions, but I don't want to risk damaging any insulin when I am on holiday of all places!!

 

[margie]

The Patient Information leaflet tells you the range of temperatures that the insulin remains stable at. At higher temperatures insulin will degrade faster. Having a frio pouch certainly won't hurt

 

[imtrying]

Hi Laura,

I've been to Center Parcs before, and know how hot it is in the pool area! I'd say get something to keep it cool in...if you were abroad in the sun, you wouldn't be keeping your insulin out for too long! I'm not saying anything would necessarily happen for sure, but it's a big risk and not worth it I'd say.

Hope you have an amazing time! I love it at those places 🙂

 

[Robster65]

I would say yes to a frio. I boughtone last year and it does a good job.

Either that, or you'll have to stand around outside while the rest of the family enjoy the pool !

Rob

 

[trophywench]

You'll never regret buying a Frio Laura - they are an investment!

 

[lauraw1983]

Thank you all - at least it wasn't silly to ask!!

I will do that then, would rather be safe than sorry! Will have a look at their website later 🙂

Thanks Katie - we love it too with our little ones, age 2 and 5 they just have a ball, such a wonderful holiday for us all and is just what I need right now. xx

 

[Copepod]

Ask Center Parcs for air temperature records - I doubt they'll be higher than 28oC, which is the usual upper definition of room temperature. Pool complexes often feel hotter than their absolute temperature, because of high humity, so you can't cool down as easily by sweating.

Frio pouches don't work so well in high humidity, nor where air movements are restricted eg in a locker.

Personally, I'd just ensure that you don't leave your insulin in direct sunlight eg by a window, and check that thre's no radiator or other source of heat near a locker if you leave insulin inside.

 

[imtrying]

Ask Center Parcs for air temperature records - I doubt they'll be higher than 28oC, which is the usual upper definition of room temperature. Pool complexes often feel hotter than their absolute temperature, because of high humity, so you can't cool down as easily by sweating.

good point about the humidity! it is very humid...I'd just assumed hot!

I'd be interested to know the answer from CP on the actual temp there.

 

[lauraw1983]

Ask Center Parcs for air temperature records - I doubt they'll be higher than 28oC, which is the usual upper definition of room temperature. Pool complexes often feel hotter than their absolute temperature, because of high humity, so you can't cool down as easily by sweating.

Frio pouches don't work so well in high humidity, nor where air movements are restricted eg in a locker.

Personally, I'd just ensure that you don't leave your insulin in direct sunlight eg by a window, and check that thre's no radiator or other source of heat near a locker if you leave insulin inside.

Ooh I wouldn't have thought of that, I shall do and will reprt back when I get an answer from them. Thanks x

 

[Copepod]

Always glad to help, sometimes with ideas that are a bit lateral 🙂

 

[Monica]

That's interesting. I wouldn't have thought about the fact that humidity makes hot air feel hotter. I wonder how hot it will be at Centre Parks......

 

[Copepod]

Not just Center Parcs and any swimming pools, but also in tropical wet forests - personally I've spent time in rainforests / cloud forests in Indonesia & Australia (before diagnosis) and Costa Rica & Ecuador (after diagnosis).

While humidity makes a given temperature more uncomfortable for humans, as we rely on sweating to cool down (relatively unusual among mammals, as fur makes losing heat by sweating relatively impractical), sealed insulin cartridges are only exposed to temperature, not humidity, so that's what matter.