It is estimated that as many as 220,000 Americans' developed Lyme disease in 2005 alone. Did you ever think something as small as the head of a pin could cause so much trouble? Unfortunately, being bitten by a tiny tick infected with Lyme disease could mean serious danger.

There are various types of ticks but the infected deer tick (named so because they frequently attach themselves to deer and mice) is the main spreader of Lyme disease.

There tends to be more cases of Lyme disease during warmer months of the year. This may be due to the fact that more people are outside giving the ticks more opportunity to come in contact with humans. Because the deer tick is so small most people don’t even feel them moving on their body and may not even notice that they are attacked.

The correct way to remove an attacked tick is to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with a pair of narrow-tipped tweezers. Pull firmly and with steady pressure. Try not touch the tick with your bare hands but, if you must, wash your hands immediately. Then, wash the tick-bitten area quickly and apply an antibiotic cream or antiseptic. Observe the wound often for signs of possible Lyme disease infection.

Some signs of Lyme disease include: a spreading, red rash that extends from the bite spot up to 7 inches out. There may also be flu like symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, pains and weakness.

If Lyme disease is left untreated, it can cause even more severe symptoms like: numbness, severe joint stiffness (like arthritis), high fever, loss of memory, and even hearing and vision problems.

If you believe that you may have been infected, contact your physician. When Lyme disease is caught early enough antibiotics are usually prescribed to fight the infection, but waiting to seek medical treatment can lead to prolonged and less effective treatments.

When it comes to going outside, taking precautions will save you discomfort later on. It's best to put bug repellent on before going outside. Products containing DEET have been shown to be the most effective repellents. If using repellent, apply it sparingly; it will last between 4 to 8 hours. Read the label carefully before applying if you're pregnant or have small children. Also, wearing light clothing (to easily spot ticks), wearing long pants and shirt sleeves, tucking pants into boots or socks, tucking shirts in and keeping a hat on can help keep ticks off exposed skin. Ticks are drawn to dark areas such as waistbands and hair.

It's also a good idea to treat those pets that go outside. They can carry ticks into your house or rub on you and transfer them. There are several good flea and tick medicines available through your veterinarian, online or in pet stores. Get the good stuff! Paying a little more will insure your pet's and your happiness and the good stuff really does work great.

Lyme Disease prevention and awareness can help you and your family enjoy the time you spend outdoors even more without fear.

Tina Seay is the author and webmaster of www.ForTheCatLover.com a website for cats and the people who love them. Her other websites include www.LearnSomethingToday.com a website that promotes quality of life and YourWeddingStory.net a site that helps the whole bridal party get ready for a dream wedding. . Her goal is to help others achieve a happy healthy lifestyle.