How does a tick go under the skin? - briefly
Ticks insert their barbed hypostome into the host’s epidermis, then secrete a cement‑like saliva that secures the feeding tube and prevents it from being dislodged. The tick remains attached externally while it draws blood, rather than burrowing completely beneath the skin.
How does a tick go under the skin? - in detail
Ticks attach to a host by locating a suitable site, usually a warm, moist area where the skin is thin. The mouthparts, called chelicerae and hypostome, are specialized for piercing. The chelicerae cut a small opening in the epidermis, while the hypostome, a barbed feeding tube, is forced into the dermis. Saliva containing anticoagulants, anti‑inflammatory agents, and immunomodulators is injected simultaneously, preventing clotting and reducing host detection.
The attachment proceeds in several distinct stages:
- Questing: The tick climbs vegetation and extends its forelegs to detect heat, carbon dioxide, and movement.
- Grasping: Upon contact, the forelegs clamp onto the skin, and the tick secures itself with its claws.
- Insertion: The chelicerae slice the outer skin layers; the hypostome slides deeper, anchoring with microscopic barbs.
- Feeding cavity formation: Saliva dilates tissue, creating a channel that remains open for several days.
- Engorgement: The tick expands its body as it ingests blood, while the hypostome maintains attachment.
The hypostome’s barbs lock the tick in place, making removal difficult without breaking the mouthparts, which can leave portions embedded in the skin. The combination of mechanical penetration and biochemical suppression enables the parasite to remain beneath the surface for prolonged feeding periods.