How does a photo of a tick bite look when the head remains? - briefly
A photograph showing a tick bite with the mouthparts still attached appears as a small, dark, oval puncture surrounded by a slight reddening of the skin, often with the tick’s head visible as a tiny, brownish protrusion emerging from the center of the wound. The surrounding area may display mild swelling or a faint halo of inflammation.
How does a photo of a tick bite look when the head remains? - in detail
A close‑up photograph that captures a tick bite with the mouthparts still attached shows several distinct visual elements:
- Visible capitulum: The tick’s head, consisting of the chelicerae and hypostome, appears as a dark, elongated structure protruding from the skin. It is typically black or deep brown, contrasting with the surrounding flesh.
- Engorgement zone: The area around the puncture often looks swollen. The skin may be raised a few millimeters, with a smooth, slightly reddish surface.
- Central puncture point: At the center of the lesion, a tiny, pinpoint opening can be seen where the mouthparts entered. The opening may be surrounded by a faint halo of erythema.
- Peripheral reaction: A thin ring of mild inflammation or hyperpigmentation may encircle the bite, especially if the host’s immune response is active.
- Depth of focus: Macro images typically use shallow depth of field, keeping the head sharply in focus while the surrounding skin appears slightly blurred, emphasizing the tick’s mandibles.
Additional details that may appear in a well‑lit image:
- Texture: The mouthparts have a rough, serrated surface visible under high magnification.
- Color variation: In partially fed ticks, the head may retain a lighter hue near the tip, darkening toward the base where it connects to the body.
- Surrounding tissue: Occasionally, a small amount of fluid or blood can be observed pooling around the puncture site, giving a glossy sheen to the immediate area.
These characteristics collectively allow identification of a bite where the tick’s head has not been removed.