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State guide · South CarolinaLyme disease in South Carolina
How common Lyme disease is in South Carolina, which ticks spread it, when to be careful, and where to turn for care.
Case numbers come from CDC’s 2023 annual notifiable disease tables, the most recent year CDC has published. Rates use U.S. Census 2023 population estimates. Reported cases undercount real infections. How to read these numbers.
How common is Lyme disease in South Carolina?
In 2023, South Carolina reported 55 Lyme disease cases, about 1.0 per 100,000 residents, well below the national rate. Reported numbers here are lower than in the Northeast, but low reported numbers do not mean no risk: cases can be missed, and doctors may be less likely to suspect Lyme where it is less familiar.
South Carolina compared with neighboring states (2023)
| State | Reported cases | Per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 228 | 2.1 |
| South Carolina | 55 | 1.0 |
| Georgia | 18 | 0.2 |
Which ticks spread Lyme in South Carolina?
The blacklegged tick, which spreads Lyme disease, is widely distributed across the eastern United States, according to CDC, and its range includes South Carolina. The lone star tick is also common here. It does not spread Lyme, but CDC notes its bite can be followed by a similar-looking rash called STARI and is linked to alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy.
When to be most careful
Ticks are most active from spring through early fall, and in warmer parts of the state they can be out much of the year. Check yourself, your children and your pets after time in wooded or brushy areas.
How to protect yourself
- Use an EPA-registered insect repellent (such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, PMD or 2-undecanone).
- Treat clothing and gear with permethrin.
- Check your body, children and pets for ticks after being outdoors.
- Shower soon after coming inside, and tumble dry clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks.
Found an attached tick? Remove it right away. Here’s what to do after a tick bite, and the symptoms to watch for over the next few weeks.
Where to get care in South Carolina
Start with your primary care provider, an urgent care clinic or a telehealth visit, especially if you have a rash or fever after a tick bite. Tell them about any tick bite and where you have traveled. For complicated or lingering symptoms, ask about a referral to an infectious disease specialist. We are building a care finder with clinics that treat tick-borne illness; until then, here’s how Lyme testing works.
Official resources
- South Carolina Department of Public Health: Lyme disease is rare, but does occur in South Carolina.
- CDC: Lyme disease
We are collecting real experiences about Lyme disease in South Carolina from people who have lived it, shared with their permission. As stories come in, they will appear here, clearly marked as personal experience rather than medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lyme disease common in South Carolina?
South Carolina reported 55 cases in 2023, about 1.0 per 100,000 residents (low reported on our map). Reported cases undercount real infections, so take precautions in tick habitat either way.
What tick carries Lyme disease in South Carolina?
The blacklegged tick, often called the deer tick. The lone star tick and American dog tick do not spread Lyme.
Do reported case numbers show my real risk in South Carolina?
Not fully. Reported numbers undercount real infections: some are never reported, and cases are counted where people live, not where they were bitten. Whatever the numbers, if you have symptoms after a tick bite or travel, see a healthcare provider.