Bites and stings

All bites that break the skin are a cause for concern. Even minor scratches and scrapes should be taken seriously. Find out how to treat an animal bite, and how to report an attack.

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.

There are many different types of jellyfish in Aotearoa New Zealand. Most jellyfish stings are not serious. If treated straight away you are not likely to develop major symptoms.

Sandflies are common insects in Aotearoa New Zealand. While the ones we get are a nuisance they are not a public health risk. The kinds that bite do not carry infectious diseases.

Sea bather’s eruption is an itchy rash caused by the stings of thimble jellyfish and certain sea anemones. As these organisms are very small they can get trapped in bathing suits, particularly around the groin and breast areas, and cuffs of wetsuits. Sea bather’s eruption is more common in summer when the water is warmer.

Only some spiders are able to bite humans. There are 3 species of spider to avoid — the katipō, the redback and the whitetailed spider.

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.

Ticks are parasites that need blood to survive and reproduce. They feed off a range of hosts including mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians. They may pose public health and biosecurity risks. This is because they can carry and spread human and animal diseases.