Steamy summers, strong southern sun, and lone star ticks.
South Carolina's long, humid summers make heat illness a real risk, and its southern latitude means strong UV for much of the year. Lone star ticks, linked to the red meat allergy alpha-gal syndrome, are common across the South.
Humid summer air slows the evaporation of sweat, which is how your body cools itself. That makes heat exhaustion and heat stroke more likely during outdoor work, exercise or a stretch without air conditioning, especially for older adults, young children and people with chronic illness.
The sun's strength depends on its angle, which is set by latitude, season and time of day. At South Carolina's latitude the midday sun is high for much of the year, and water and sand at the coast reflect extra UV. That raises your lifetime risk of sunburn and skin cancer.
Most US cases of alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat and other mammal products, occur in southern, eastern and central states, and the lone star tick is the tick most often linked to it. Reactions can be mild or life-threatening and often come hours after eating. Ticks also spread other infections, so preventing bites pays off twice.
Call 911 for signs of heat stroke, such as confusion, fainting, or hot skin, whether dry or still sweating. See a doctor for fever or rash after a tick bite, and an allergist for hives or stomach pain hours after eating red meat. Have any new or changing mole checked.