Call Healthline 0800 611 116 if you are unsure what you should do.

  • Animal and human bites

    All bites that break the skin are concerning. Even minor scrapes, like when someone’s mouth grazes your hand by accident, should be taken seriously.

  • Bee and wasp stings

    Bee and wasp stings can be very painful, and can cause a dangerous allergic reaction. Find out how to avoid getting stung, and how to treat stings.

  • Insect bites

    Treatment for itchy bites from insects such as mosquitoes, fleas, sandflies or from spiders.

  • Jellyfish stings

    There are many different types of jellyfish in New Zealand; however, treatment of stings is exactly the same regardless of the type of jellyfish.

  • Spider bites

    Most spiders in New Zealand are harmless, but the katipō, redback and white-tailed spiders can be harmful.

  • Stinging nettles

    Nettles are plants with sharp hairs on their leaves. If you touch them, these hairs inject irritants into the skin, making it itchy, red and swollen.