Having a kid is synonymous to having someone to worry about every minute of the day. We do everything just to protect them from harm no matter how small. That’s the right attitude. Most of the time, the biggest threat to our children’s health are brought by small creatures — like tick. It is very likely that a kid living in a tick infested area would catch Lyme disease. This is a complex, multi-system infection which is caused by Borrelia, a bacterium that ticks carry. A simple tick bite can be the ugliest nightmare not just for your child but for you, as well.
Protection from Lyme Disease
The good news is that you can protect your child from Lyme disease. The first thing to remember is to avoid places and activities that will increase the risk of catching this infection. If you’re living in an area which has a high incidence of reported Lyme disease cases or is considered tick-infested, you have to be extra-careful. Camping, fishing, and fishing can increase a child’s tick risk. Make sure he does not spend a lot of time outdoors in shrubs, tall grass or wooded areas. If you have a pet at home, always check for ticks, and consult a veterinarian if you notice your dog limping for virtually no reason at all.
If the activities and places above are unavoidable, you can still protect your child from this infection. Use insect repellent and have your child wear light-colored clothing when outdoors so you can easily spot ticks. If your child gets bitten by a tick, the first thing to do is call your doctor. Apply alcohol on the bite site. Save the tick so your doctor could identify it and check if its the type that carries the notorious bacteria. Kill the tick by putting it in a jar of alcohol. Do not burn the tick with a match or bathe the tick with petroleum jelly. Doing either won’t kill the tick.
Lyme Disease Infection
It is really important that you call a doctor after the tick bite. Symptoms of this disease sometime show up weeks, months or years after the bite. By then, it may be too late. If you really want to protect your child, you have to make sure by consulting a doctor immediately.