How does a tick cling to skin? - briefly
Ticks anchor with a barbed hypostome that pierces the epidermis and is reinforced by a salivary secretion that hardens into a cement‑like adhesive, securing the parasite to the host’s skin.
How does a tick cling to skin? - in detail
Ticks attach to a host by employing a specialized set of anatomical and biochemical tools that secure the parasite for several days while it ingests blood. The process unfolds in a sequence of well‑defined actions.
When a tick first encounters skin, its front legs, equipped with sensory Haller’s organs, detect heat, carbon‑dioxide and tactile cues. The legs guide the parasite to a suitable site and the mouthparts are extended.
- Insertion of the hypostome – the central feeding tube, covered with backward‑pointing barbs, penetrates the epidermis and dermis. The barbs prevent backward movement, acting as a mechanical anchor.
- Cheliceral incision – paired cutting structures slice the tissue, creating a small wound that facilitates hypostome entry.
- Secretion of cement – salivary glands produce a proteinaceous adhesive that hardens around the hypostome and surrounding mouthparts. This cement forms a durable bond between the tick and the host’s skin.
- Anticoagulant and immunomodulatory saliva – the same glands release compounds that inhibit clotting and suppress local immune responses, ensuring uninterrupted blood flow.
- Expansion of the feeding cavity – the tick’s body enlarges, stretching the cemented attachment and maintaining a tight seal as the engorgement progresses.
The combination of barbed hypostome, mechanical grip, and rapidly solidifying cement creates a reliable hold that can resist the host’s grooming and skin movements. Removal requires breaking the cement bond or cutting the hypostome, which is why manual extraction without proper tools often leaves mouthparts embedded.