With warm weather on its way and everyone enjoying the best a New Zealand summer has to offer, there are some common conditions we see more often during the warmer months.

Here are some things you can do to help someone who might be suffering from one of these conditions:

• Make sure the patient and others are away from the BBQ – make sure everyone is safe
• Cool the burnt area for up to 20 minutes using cool running water. If no water is available, any cool non-toxic fluid is suitable
• Remove any jewellery, e.g. rings, watch, from the injured area
• Call 111 for an ambulance is the burn area is larger than the patient’s hand

• Cold/cool shower for the patient or cool running water over the burn for up to 20 minutes
• Don’t burst large blisters
• Sunburn ointment can be used for minor burns which are not severly blistered – check the expiry date of the ointment
• Patient should drink plenty of fluid
• Seek medical aid for large area burns, or if the patient is feeling unwell, or if large blisters are associated with the sunburn

• Remove the sting quickly – it doesn’t matter how you remove the sting
• Apply an ice pack to the sting area for up to 10 minutes. Reapply the ice pack at frequent intervals or whenever pain relief is needed
• Raise affected limb, if possible, to reduce swelling
• Seek medical aid if the patient becomes unwell. Call 111 for an ambulance if the patient shows any of the following: fine rash over their trunk; wheezing or coughing; difficulty breathing; swelling around face, eyes and neck.

• Flush sting area with water and gently remove the tentacles if still present. Avoid excessive rubbing of the tentacles
• Do not put vinegar on the sting
• If hot water is available, put the sting area in hot water (as hot as the patient can stand without burning) for 20 minutes. A hot shower is ideal
• If hot water is not available and there is significant pain, apply an ice pack
• Jellyfish stings rarely cause significant harm but they do cause severe pain that may last for an hour or more. Pain is not an indication to go to a doctor, unless it is very severe and persisting for a number of hours
• If the reaction is severe (e.g. patient is having difficulty breathing; fainting; severe swelling) call 111 for an ambulance.