Toddler, 2, catches Lyme disease after being bitten by a tick in a playground

A two-year-old boy has contracted Lyme disease – an infection spread to humans by tick bites – at a local playground.

Harrison was out with his mum, Bethany Harris, 26, and little sister, one, at a park in Devon on March 26.

But when the family returned to their Exmoor home, Bethany spotted tiny ticks on Harrison’s neck and in his hair.

Bethany had never seen the bug before, with a doctor later saying it was a deer tick, also known as a black-legged tick.

The tick type is known for calling open fields their home – just like the kind next to the Redgates Play Park Bethany took her kids to.

‘We go to that playground all the time, when we went last Sunday he came away with two ticks,’ she said.

‘I’ve never seen ticks before so I had no idea what to do. 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.’

Taking Harrison to A&E, Bethany was told the disease can be straightforward for most children – a simple course of antibiotics is all that’s needed.

There’s no easy way to test Lyme disease, but it’s known for its characteristic rash, known as erythema migrans, which looks almost like a target.

The red patch forms in the first week or two after the bite, often joined by flu-like symptoms and headaches.

While in serious cases, people suffer swollen joints, numbness and heart problems, health experts stress that, for most people, it’s an easy-to-treat infection.

But Bethany has been left anxious ever since the bite. ‘The playground is right next to a woodland and open fields, which would be rife with deer ticks which carry Lyme disease,’ she said.

‘Ever since I’ve been paranoid checking every square inch of my kids’ bodies including their hair.’

She was told the council has ‘no plans’ to issue any tick warnings in the park.

‘I know ticks aren’t a problem all year round, but knowing a playground is built near a woodland with deer and knowing ticks are rife in that area it seems strange,’ she said.

‘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.’

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