The weather is getting warmer and kids are outdoors playing more.  As parents you know you will have the first aid kits in case their child get’s cut and needs a Band Aid or two, as well as applying sunblock to their faces to avoid burns.

There is another measure that all parents should also be taking which does not get the attention it should.

Checking for ticks. Lyme disease can be delivered through ticks and it is a very serious illness. Ticks can bite and they may be carrying the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.

You should always look out for symptoms of Lyme disease so medical attention can be sought asap. While they may vary, there are some common symptoms to look out for.

A rash, or the erythema migrans (EM) rash, is one of the most common. It known for resembling a bull’s-eye. 70-80% of those with Lyme disease will have this symptom, that’s how common it is.

Naturally there are a lot of people who write off these tick bites as simply mosquito bites or even spider bites. But the differences are huge when it comes to how severe the aftermath can be. The rash related to Lyme disease can be joined with fevers, headaches, fatigue, chills, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes.

There are also later symptoms of Lyme disease which involve severe headaches, increased or worsening EM rashes, severe joint pain and swelling, facial or Bell’s palsy, intermittent pain, heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat (Lyme carditis), dizziness, shortness of breath, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, nerve pain, shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet, and difficulty with short-term memory.

While Lyme disease can be dealt with using antibiotics, detecting these symptoms early on and getting a head start at combating this disease is crucial.

Can you take preventive measures? Yes, and using an insect repellent is one way to avoid the ticks altogether.

Also, if you see ticks, remove them as quickly as possible. You have to be quick though as all it takes is one tick to bite you and you could be at risk of getting Lyme disease.

Most importantly is to call your doctor right away when you do notice any symptoms or signs of Lyme disease, whether on you or your children.