A MUM is urgently warning other parents to be cautious ahead of summer after desperately rushing her son to A&E.
Bethany Harris, 26, wants parents to be aware of Lyme Disease after her two-year-old son Harrison contacted it following a visit to their local playground.
The mum-of-two had never even heard of the disease, which is an infection caught from the bite of an infected tick, and wants to raise awareness for other families.
Bethany took her tot and his one-year-old sister to their local playground in Devon in recent weeks.
When the family returned home from Redgates Play Park, Bethany spotted two ticks on Harrison.
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As she had never seen one before, and knew very little about them, the mum browsed the internet for more information.
Bethany said: "I followed advice and removed the ticks, then kept an eye on the areas and whether he started to feel unwell.
"On Monday, eight days after we found the ticks, I noticed in both areas he had a red circle rash, so even though he felt okay in himself, I called 111."
The mum said she was told to rush to A&E - where the two-year-old was checked over by a nurse and microbiologist.
Bethany continued: "The doctor took a look at the bites and confirmed straight away that it was Lyme Disease. I had no idea what that even was.
"The doctor said the only kind of tick that could have done that was a deer tick, so he asked me where he had gotten the bites so I showed him.
"The playground is right next to a woodland and open fields, which would be rife with deer ticks which carry Lyme disease.
"Ever since I've been paranoid checking every square inch of my kids' bodies including their hair."
The Exmoor mum has now gone to the council to make them aware of the risks.
She's also publically telling other parents to keep an eye out.
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The 26-year-old added: "Thankfully, Harrison is fine and has been given antibiotics which should clear it up, but Lyme Disease can be very serious.
"It can definitely be a lot more sinister than just a rash."
A spokesperson for East Devon District Council said: "We're sorry to hear that a child has suffered from a tick bite, and we hope that he makes a speedy recovery.
"We keep the grass short in our play areas, which reduces the risk of ticks getting onto people, but areas outside of the play areas are often left to grow for reasons such as increasing biodiversity.
"This time of year is when ticks become active and we would like to take the opportunity to remind the public of the risks associated with ticks.
"Government guidance says to walk on clearly defined paths to avoid brushing against vegetation, wear light-coloured clothes so ticks can be spotted and brushed off, use repellents and carry out a tick check."
