The majority of insect bites/stings can be managed at home and should heal within 3 - 5 days. They tend to cause a round, red, swollen lump that can be painful (typically with insect stings) or itchy (typically with insect bites). Some insects can bite a number of times, causing multiple lumps across an area of the body. There may be a small allergic reaction to the bite or sting, which will be seen as a wider red/swollen ring around the bites. The most common stings are from bees and wasps. In a small number of people, an insect sting can cause a serious and dangerous allergic reaction (known to medical professionals as anaphylaxis. The symptoms of this can be feeling dizzy, sick or faint and swelling, particularly in the mouth and face, resulting in difficulty breathing. If you suspect this is happening, call 999 immediately.

Ticks are small, spider-like creatures that feed on the blood of animals and humans. They are found in areas of long grass and vegetation, and sometimes even gardens. Ticks cling on when someone or something brushes past them, where they bite and start to feed. They will drop off once they have finished their feed, but this can be days later. Tick bites are important to be aware of, as they can transmit bacteria leading to infections such as Lyme disease. Simple self-help can go a long way, and after being out for a long walk, it is recommended to perform a quick ‘tick check’ and make sure that you haven’t brought a tick home with you. A good look and feel, including places like the groin and hairlines, will help make sure you stay tick-free.

Sunburn is when excessive exposure to the sun damages the skin causing it to become damaged. The majority of cases can be self-treated. Sunburn is an example of a first-degree (superficial) burn - the skin is red, painful and very sensitive to touch, and the damaged skin may be slightly moist from leakage of the fluid in the deeper layers of the skin. Sunburn, caused by the UVB rays in sunlight, is common and sore at the time. But it also increases your risk of developing skin cancer later in life, so it's important to avoid this by using sun safe practices. These include adequate - sun cream SPF 30 and above, with both UVA and UVB protection, cover up with hats and clothes and avoid the sun altogether on summer days between 11 am and 3 pm.

Sea urchins are black-spiked marine life that are found in the rock pools along our shores. Their positioning in dark submerged spots within popular swimming spots means sea urchin spine punctures are common, particularly in feet. They cause pain and inflammation but often do not need medical treatment.

Jellyfish are common especially in spring-summer in the UK. The majority of jellyfish either have no sting or a mild to moderate sting, but those in UK waters do not have life-threatening toxins in their sting. The sting from a jellyfish comes from its tentacles and you may be stung if you touch or swim by them. This will bring on a painful, burning or stinging sensation and redness or raised red areas of skin. Even when a jellyfish is washed up on the beach it still could sting you so it’s best to avoid touching or handling them. Wearing a wetsuit and wetsuit shoes can help lessen any exposed skin that could be stung. Jellyfish tend to float about in groups so be aware and move away if you can when you see one. In the UK the lion’s mane jellyfish has the most painful sting. It's sometimes found on the coasts of north Wales or Scotland, and distinctive by its large size and thick brown or red frilly tentacles. The infamous Portuguese man o’war is also large and has a light purple rounded sac. It floats on the water with long tentacles. Despite appearances, technically a species closely related to, but not classified as, a jellyfish, and can give a nasty sting or even debilitate a swimmer. You may also get stomach ache, diarrhoea and vomiting.

Hydration refers to the process of providing the body with an adequate amount of fluid, typically water, to sustain proper physiological function. It involves maintaining the body's fluid balance by replenishing lost fluids through various means, including drinking water, consuming hydrating foods, and absorbing fluids from beverages. Proper hydration is crucial for supporting vital bodily functions such as regulating body temperature, transporting nutrients and oxygen, lubricating joints, and eliminating waste products. Adequate hydration helps keep the body functioning optimally and promotes overall health and well-being. Exercise uses up fluids and salts through sweating, breathing fast and hard, and making muscles work to their absolute max. There are so many products to take you beyond plain old water, the choice can be bewildering, so what’s going to fuel your gym session or get the most of your triathlon? Our pharmacist is here to cut through the big claims and let you know what’s behind the label.

Hydration in its simplest form is to supply and retain water in the body's tissues. Take in too little water and you risk dehydration, making it hard for the body to carry out essential functions. And with loss of water, you lose essential salts and minerals, causing further turmoil in your body. We’ve all experienced mild dehydration at times, like when the weather is hot, or we are doing a sweaty workout. Fighting a fever or a stomach bug also leaves you lacking hydration. But you might have overlooked the toll a flight can take on your body. An airline cabin draws air in from the upper atmosphere for us to breathe in, and this is very dry. The air cabin can be less humid than the Sahara desert, and you actually lose water through your breath. Telling signs can be a dry feeling in your nose and throat, your contact lenses feeling scratchy, and you might be passing urine less, or it’s dark and strong-smelling. You might feel thirsty, but this is actually a late sign, as when thirst sets in, your body is already 2% dehydrated. You need to work hard to replace this. Your body will work best if you can plan ahead to avoid dehydration, rather than playing catch-up. If you’re travelling with little ones, they have a higher body surface area and breathe a bit faster, so they can become dehydrated even more quickly, and salt imbalance follows. It can be tempting to let them snooze through the flight (and give you some peace), but feeling tired and sleepy can also be a sign of dehydration, so make sure they have fuelled up before nodding off.

Dr Kandi explains the pinch test, and how it can help you detect whether you're adequately hydrated.

Dog bites are common and often to the hands, forearms or lower legs. Dog saliva carries lots of bacteria, and there’s a risk of infection if the bite has broken skin. So if a dog has bitten you or your child, give it a thorough look, and seek medical attention if there is a puncture wound, as it is likely to need antibiotics. Dog bites are the most common animal bites – from your own pet or that of a neighbour’s - but the same advice here applies to cat bites or other domestic animals.

Dehydration is a condition characterised by an inadequate amount of fluid in the body, resulting from either insufficient fluid intake or excessive fluid loss. This imbalance disrupts the body's normal functions and can lead to a range of symptoms and health complications. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, causing a decrease in the volume of water and electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, and chloride) circulating in the body. This can happen due to various factors, including excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, prolonged exposure to heat, or insufficient fluid intake. Dehydration can manifest with symptoms such as thirst, dry mouth, dark urine, fatigue, dizziness, headache, confusion, and, in severe cases, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. Prompt recognition and treatment of dehydration are essential to restore fluid balance, prevent complications, and promote overall well-being. Ensuring adequate hydration to ensure our bodies remain healthy can be a tough ask, especially in hot conditions, and during strenuous activities or exercise. Hot temperatures and increased water and salt losses can lead to dehydration. Mild dehydration may be felt as thirst, headache, mild dizziness, reduced need to urinate and dry skin. In its more severe form, dehydration can result in reduced alertness, fatigue, muscle cramps, loss of consciousness and long-term damage to your kidneys.

Bluebottle jellyfish are common along the south-eastern beaches of Australia and often sting bathers. Typically these stings self-resolve with little intervention but there are some self-care treatments that can help speed up the process.

Bedbugs are tiny insects that cause an intense itch, and can be troublesome to get rid of as they live in clothing, bedding, mattresses and any other soft furnishings at home. They feed on blood to survive, and when they bite, they inject a local anaesthetic that numbs the area so you won’t feel it. It's this that causes the irritation. They’re a real nuisance but they don’t carry specific diseases to pose a threat to your health. Infestations range from light, with a couple of bites in a week, to heavy, with 40 or 50 bites in a night. Heavier infestations are likely to need pest control to decontaminate your home.