Hot and humid weather and scorching sunshine can affect glucose levels and other aspects of managing diabetes. This can include how insulin and other medications work, and possible dehydration that can lead to dangerously high and low blood sugars.

Summertime can bring extra challenges for people with diabetes. Research suggests that hot weather can lead to health issues for people with diabetes, making them more sensitive to high temperatures and humidity.

You may find it harder to manage blood sugar levels while facing an increased risk of heat exhaustion.

So, when the weather heats up, it’s important to closely monitor your blood sugar levels and watch for possible symptoms that your body is not handling the heat very well. That way, you can take action before the situation becomes serious.

People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes may experienceTrusted Source more heat stress and related illnesses than those without the condition.

This means diabetes can be more challenging to manage in both hotter temperatures and with higher humidity, which means the extra moisture in the air can make the heat feel even more extreme.

Those with diabetes are more vulnerableTrusted Source to heat exhaustion because diabetes can damage your blood vessels and nerves, including the nerves in your sweat glands, so you may not be able to cool your body as efficiently as it needs.

High temps may also change how your body uses insulin. Typically, if you’re exercising, it reduces your need for insulin. But hot weather can throw a wrench into that, and you may be at higher riskTrusted Source for both high and low blood glucose levels.

This can mean people with diabetes may get dehydrated more quickly than people without the condition. Dehydration symptoms may include:

When dehydration becomes more severe, you may develop:

Dehydration can make your blood glucose levels rise. Then, you may need to urinate more often.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendsTrusted Source monitoring the heat index in your area, since that takes both temperature and humidity into account.

Managing your diabetes carefully is the best way to stay on top of the situation. Here are a few tips to help you do that and stay safe in the heat this summer:

  • Drink plenty of water: Heat and high blood sugars can contribute to dehydration. Drinking plenty of water can help. Make sure to avoid caffeine and sugar-sweetened beverages, which may raise blood sugars but also do not properly hydrate you and can contribute to dehydration.
  • Dress for the weather: Lightweight, loose-fitting clothes will help you stay cool, especially if you plan to spend time outside.
  • Avoid or limit alcohol: Alcohol has a diuretic effect, so drinking beverages may make you need to urinate more frequently so you lose more fluids in your body.
  • Know your blood sugars: Hot weather can make your blood glucose levels fluctuate even more than you might realize. Make sure to check your blood sugar levels or watch your CGM readings often when you’re enjoying the summer sunshine. This includes before and after physical activities as such as being in a swimming pool, which affect your blood sugar levels regardless of the weather. (Tip: sunscreens and other lotions can affect glucose results and may lead to inaccurate readings).
  • Avoid sunburn: Sunburns can be uncomfortable for your skin and can also affect blood sugar levels. Your body views sunburns as a skin injury, causing stress and potentially high blood sugars. Make sure you apply sunscreen and consider wearing a sunhat, umbrella, or other sun protection when possible.
  • Optimize shady spots: The heat index can be quite a bit higher in direct sunlight, so opt for the shade where it’s a little cooler.
  • Exercise indoors: Staying inside in cooler temperatures and air conditioning can help. You’ll be less vulnerable to heat and humidity. Or, if you really love to exercise outside, fit in a workout in the early morning hours when it’s a little cooler.
  • Know your medications: Carefully read all the instructions for your medications so you’ll be aware of any warnings about heat.
  • Keep your diabetes devices stuck: Heat can make your diabetes device adhesives less sticky, so make use of the various tapes and overlays available for your pump sites and CGM sensors. You may also want to pay attention to wear you keep your insulin pumps or other diabetes devices so they aren’t exposed to direct sunlight or higher temperatures.
  • Be prepared: Always plan for the unexpected. Consider backups for scenarios, including if your insulin pump site comes off or a device stops working. Consider having an extra fingerstick meter and supplies, urine ketone tests, or backup insulin stored at safe temperatures.

How to keep your medication and supplies safe in hot weather

The heat’s hard on your body, but it’s also hard on your diabetes supplies. They’re vulnerable to the hot summer weather. Here are a few tips for handling your diabetes medications and supplies:

  • Don’t leave your insulin pump, glucose meter, or other supplies in a hot car or even outside in the direct sun.
  • Keep test strips and other supplies in a cool location. A good rule of thumb is to store them with your other equipment and keep it out of the sun and heat.
  • Store your insulin at safe temperatures. This can include a cooler if you’re traveling, but don’t pile ice packs directly on top of it.

If you have diabetes, you’ll want to monitor yourself for the possible development of symptoms of heat exhaustion, as well as hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

Heat exhaustion

Your body can overheat in response to hot weather and develop a condition known as heat exhaustion. Symptoms tend to include:

  • drop in blood pressure
  • feeling faint
  • profuse sweating
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • headache
  • weak and rapid pulse rate
  • muscle cramping
  • moist or cool skin even in high temperatures

While not as serious as heat stroke, heat exhaustion can pave the way for it, so don’t ignore these symptoms.

Low blood sugar

Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood sugar drops to abnormally low levels. Officially, it occurs when your blood glucose levels fall below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

Your risk for hypoglycemia increases in the summer because your metabolism tends to run higher in hot, humid weather, and you’re more likely to absorb more insulin.

When hypoglycemia develops, you may start feeling confused or develop blurred vision. Other symptoms include:

  • anxiousness
  • sweating
  • tremors
  • heart palpitations

In extreme cases, you may lose consciousness. Be sure to keep glucose tablets or another source of fast-acting carbohydrates on hand so you can take them right away if your blood sugar levels start to drop.

High blood sugar

Hyperglycemia occurs when your blood glucose levels are too high. Your body either doesn’t have enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it has effectively. This can mean blood sugar levels at 180 mg/dL or higher.

Heat and humidity can raise blood sugar levels.

Feeling really thirsty or fatigued? Do you need to pee frequently? Those are common signs of hyperglycemia. Of course, excessive thirst and fatigue can also develop as a result of dehydration.

But either way, you don’t want to ignore them. Check your blood sugar levels and make sure you’re also drinking enough fluids.

Recognizing a medical emergency

If you start developing signs that you are becoming dehydrated or having heat exhaustion, stop what you’re doing. Head indoors to a cool spot, drink some fluids to help you rehydrate, and check your blood sugar levels.

If your blood sugar levels have dropped below 70 mg/dL, remember the “15-15 rule,” suggests the American Diabetes Association. That is, consume 15 grams of carbs to raise your blood sugar levels and wait 15 minutes to test your levels again.

If your blood sugar levels are too high, quick-acting insulin can help counteract high blood sugar levels in many cases.

However, if your blood sugar levels are dangerously high, don’t wait. Have someone take you to the hospital. If you have low insulin levels and very high blood sugar levels, you could go into diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a medical emergency.

There are specific products that people with diabetes may consider for helping with the heat and humidity. These include different cooling cases and packs for diabetes medications, devices, and supplies.

Some to consider might include:

  • Frio: an insulin cooling cases and packs that do not include ice
  • MedAngel: a smart thermometer for medication
  • Medicool Insulin Protector: an insulin-specific ice pack
  • TAWA Insulin Cooler Travel Case: an insulin cooler traveling case

Some research suggests statin medications may help with blood flow and heat exposure for people with diabetes. These medications are commonly prescribed to those with diabetes for cholesterol and heart disease prevention.

In this 2019 studyTrusted Source, researchers found that people who took statins as daily temperatures rose above 95 degrees Fahrenheit experienced lower odds of death than those who didn’t. The medication seems to have increased blood flow and heat dispersal throughout the body.

The study suggested that those taking statins already might benefit even more by taking the medication on hot days.

While that research focused on socioeconomically disadvantaged Medicaid populations and wasn’t specific to diabetes, it has implications for people with this condition because statins are a common medication prescribed for those with diabetes.

More research is needed on that topic to determine how statins might affect people with diabetes in hotter temperatures.

The seasonal heat and humidity can take a toll on people with diabetes.

It’s important to watch out for signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion and keep close tabs on your blood glucose levels. You can also take simple steps to store diabetes medications, devices, and supplies safely, avoiding direct sunlight and high temperatures.