Insect bites
Itchy, red or swollen skin after a bite or sting? Check whether it can be managed online. Quinn checks for signs of a serious allergic reaction or infection first, then a clinician advises on care.
- No appointment or video call
- NZ clinician reviewed
- Pay only if approved
What to expect
Talk to Quinn, our AI assistant. A NZ clinician reviews your history and decides your care.
- For a simple local reaction, a clinician can recommend treatment for itch, redness or swelling
- A clear photo of the bite or sting reaction is required before this consultation can be submitted
- Severe allergy or infection needs urgent or in-person care
Is this service right for me?
Start an online assessment if…
- The reaction is local, mild or moderate and can be clearly described or photographed
- There are no severe-allergy, infection or serious-illness warning signs
Use another service first if…
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, throat or face, breathing trouble or faintness
- Fever, severe pain, rapid spread, red streaks, or multiple stings with illness
When to get care sooner
Some symptoms need urgent or in-person care.
Call 111 now if you…
- have any swelling of the lips, tongue, throat or face
- have breathing difficulty
- feel faint
Seek same-day in-person care if you…
- get a fever
- feel unwell
- notice the redness spreading quickly or red streaks appearing
- were stung multiple times and feel unwell in other ways
See a doctor if you…
- haven't improved after 2 weeks
- used hydrocortisone and it hasn't helped after 7 days
- clear up and it comes back within a few days
About insect bites
A bite or sting from an insect, such as a mosquito, sandfly, bee or wasp, usually causes a local reaction. That means redness, itch and swelling right at the site. Spiders and ticks are not insects and can carry different risks, so it helps to know what actually bit or stung you.
- A local itchy or sore bump beginning after a likely bite or sting
- Redness or swelling centred on one area without whole-body symptoms
How your online consultation works
No appointment or video call to book. See the current clinician review time before you start.
- Tell QuinnDescribe your concern in your own words. Quinn, our AI assistant, gathers the information for your clinician.
- Clinician reviewA registered NZ clinician reviews your history and decides your care. They may ask for more detail.
- Receive your careApproved documents are saved in My care. Any prescription goes to your chosen pharmacy.
Keep your usual GP. You choose whether to share your approved consultation summary with your usual practice.
What we’ll ask about
Answer naturally. Quinn follows up on what matters to your situation, using these topics for the assessment.
- When the reaction began, where it is and how it is changing
- Breathing or swelling symptoms, severe pain, fever or spreading redness
- Possible exposure, treatments tried, allergies and relevant health conditions
Frequently asked questions
Are spider bites treated the same as insect bites?
No. Spiders are arachnids, not insects, and some spider bites can cause more serious effects, so they need a different kind of assessment.
Can New Zealand ticks give you Lyme disease?
NZ ticks are not known to spread Lyme disease locally. The risk is mainly linked to ticks picked up overseas.
Can multiple stings be dangerous even without an allergy?
Yes. Multiple stings from a swarm can cause a separate toxic reaction, with symptoms like dizziness, nausea or vomiting. That's different from a true allergic reaction.
Fees and practical details
Your consultation fee is shown before submission. Your card is charged only if care is approved; medicine and pharmacy costs are separate.