Ticks in the Palmetto State: A Year-Round Guide to Protection and Removal

South Carolina’s beautiful landscapes invite outdoor enthusiasts, but they also serve as prime habitat for various tick species. Understanding when ticks are most active, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you find one on your skin is crucial for enjoying the outdoors safely in the Palmetto State.

Tick Season: More Than Just Summer

While ticks are often associated with warmer months, the reality in South Carolina is that tick season is year-round. Due to overlapping life cycles of different species and generally mild winters, ticks can be a threat at any time. However, their activity often increases in the warmer months, typically starting as early as March.

Common tick species found in South Carolina include:

• Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum): Easily identified by a distinctive white spot on the back of the female. These are very common and can transmit Ehrlichiosis and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI).
• American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis): Characterized by white or yellowish markings on its back. This tick is a primary vector for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
• Black-legged Tick (Deer Tick) (Ixodes scapularis): Small with a reddish-brown body and dark legs. This species is known for transmitting Lyme disease, though it is less prevalent in the Southeast compared to the Northeast.
• Gulf Coast Tick (Amblyomma maculatum): Possesses a brown body with white or yellowish markings. It can spread Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis.
• Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus): Primarily affects dogs but can bite humans. This tick can be found in and around homes.
• Asian Longhorned Tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis): A newer invasive species of concern that can reproduce rapidly without a male.

These ticks typically live in grassy, brushy, and wooded areas, waiting for a host to pass by. Many people even encounter them in their own yards.

Protecting Yourself from Ticks

Prevention is your best defense against tick bites and the potential for tick-borne illnesses.

• Know Your Environment: Ticks thrive in wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. When outdoors, try to walk in the center of trails and avoid venturing into overgrown areas.
• Dress for Success: Wear light-colored clothing, which makes it easier to spot ticks. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks or boots can create a barrier.
• Use Repellents: Apply EPA-registered insect repellents containing active ingredients like DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. Always follow product instructions carefully. For clothing and gear, consider treating them with products containing 0.5% permethrin, which can remain effective through several washes.
• Check Yourself Thoroughly: After spending time outdoors, especially in tick-prone areas, perform a full-body tick check. Pay close attention to areas like:
  • Under the arms
  • In and around the ears
  • Inside the belly button
  • Back of the knees
  • In and around the hair
  • Between the legs
  • Around the waist
• Shower Promptly: Showering within two hours of coming indoors can help wash off unattached ticks and provides a good opportunity for a tick check.
• Protect Your Pets: Regular flea and tick preventative treatments for pets are essential. Also, thoroughly check your pets after they’ve been outside.
• Maintain Your Yard: Reduce tick habitats around your home by removing leaf litter, clearing tall grasses and brush, mowing your lawn frequently, and stacking wood neatly and in dry areas.

What to Do If You Find a Tick on You

If you discover a tick attached to your skin, prompt and proper removal is key to minimizing the risk of disease transmission.

1. Gather Your Tools: Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers. If you don’t have fine-tipped tweezers, regular tweezers or even your fingers can be used, though fine-tipped are preferred for precision.
2. Grasp the Tick: Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Avoid squeezing the tick’s body.
3. Pull Steadily: Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick, as this can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. If mouthparts do remain, your body will usually expel them naturally over time as your skin heals. You can try to remove them with tweezers, but if not easily done, leave them alone.
4. Clean the Area: After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer.
5. Dispose of the Tick: Dispose of the live tick by placing it in a sealed container, wrapping it tightly in tape, flushing it down the toilet, or putting it in alcohol. Do not crush the tick with your fingers.
6. Avoid Folk Remedies: Do not use petroleum jelly, heat, nail polish, or other substances to try and make the tick detach. These methods can agitate the tick and potentially force infected fluids into your skin.
7. Monitor for Symptoms: Most tick bites do not result in illness. However, it’s crucial to watch for symptoms for up to 30 days after a bite. Seek medical attention if you develop any of the following:
   • Fever/chills
   • Headache
   • Fatigue
   • Muscle aches
   • Joint pain
   • Rash (especially an expanding red rash or “bull’s-eye” rash, which can be a sign of Lyme disease or STARI)

While general preventative antibiotics after a tick bite are not typically recommended, if you live in an area where Lyme disease is common, your healthcare provider might consider a single dose of doxycycline in certain circumstances. Always consult with a healthcare professional if you have concerns or develop symptoms after a tick bite. Early diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne illnesses can significantly improve outcomes.