How does a tick bite look on a human leg? - briefly
A tick bite appears as a tiny, raised red or pink bump, often less than a centimeter across, sometimes with a small dark spot at its center where the tick’s mouthparts remain attached. The surrounding skin may be slightly swollen or irritated, but the lesion is generally smooth and not ulcerated.
How does a tick bite look on a human leg? - in detail
A tick bite on a leg typically appears as a small, dome‑shaped lesion about 2–5 mm in diameter. The center often contains a tiny puncture mark where the mouthparts entered the skin; this may be difficult to see without magnification. Surrounding the central point, the skin may be slightly raised and pink to reddish‑brown, reflecting mild inflammation.
If the tick remains attached, the body of the arthropod can be seen protruding from the lesion. An engorged specimen may be noticeably larger, up to 1 cm, and the surrounding area may be more swollen and erythematous. Once the tick is removed, the puncture site may stay visible for several days, gradually fading as the skin heals.
Typical visual features include:
- Central punctum, often a pinpoint or tiny hole.
- Peripheral erythema, ranging from faint pink to deep red.
- Slight elevation of the skin around the bite.
- Possible presence of the tick’s body, appearing as a dark, oval shape.
- After removal, a flat or shallow crater that may develop a small crust.
In some cases, a rash may develop around the bite, forming a target‑shaped lesion with a central red spot, a surrounding ring of lighter skin, and an outer red border. This pattern can indicate an early reaction to tick‑borne pathogens and should be monitored.
Healing usually occurs within one to two weeks without complications. Persistent redness, expanding swelling, or the appearance of a bullseye rash warrants medical evaluation.