How does a tick bite look on a domestic bedbug? - briefly
A tick feeding on a domestic bed bug creates a minute puncture surrounded by a faint, raised reddish‑brown spot. The area may appear slightly darker with minimal swelling.
How does a tick bite look on a domestic bedbug? - in detail
A tick that attaches to a house‑dwelling Cimex lectularius creates a distinct feeding site. The puncture is typically a pinpoint opening, 0.2–0.5 mm in diameter, surrounded by a faintly raised ring of cuticle. The immediate area often appears pale or slightly yellowed due to the removal of hemolymph, while the surrounding tissue may show a subtle reddish discoloration caused by localized irritation. In some cases, a thin, translucent exudate can be seen at the mouthparts, indicating active salivation.
The feeding mark may develop a small, dome‑shaped swelling as the tick’s engorged hypostome expands the cuticle. This swelling can be up to 1 mm high and retains the original color of the bedbug’s exoskeleton, making it blend with the body surface. Over several hours, the area may darken to a light brown shade as the hemolymph loss triggers melanization, a defensive response of the insect.
Typical visual characteristics include:
- Central puncture point, barely visible without magnification.
- Peripheral halo of slight erythema or yellowing.
- Minute dome‑shaped bulge directly above the bite site.
- Possible translucent fluid at the tip of the tick’s mouthparts.
- Gradual darkening to light brown within 12–24 hours.
If multiple ticks feed on a single host, the marks can appear clustered, each maintaining the described features. The overall appearance remains consistent across domestic infestations, allowing reliable identification under a stereomicroscope.