How does a tick look in the head?

How does a tick look in the head? - briefly

A tick on the scalp looks like a tiny, oval, brown‑red bump that may be mistaken for a small seed or a speck of dirt. After it feeds, the body expands into a larger, dome‑shaped, engorged parasite partially embedded in the skin.

How does a tick look in the head? - in detail

A tick that has attached to the scalp presents a compact, oval body roughly 2–5 mm in diameter when unfed. The dorsal surface is covered with a hard, chitinous shield (scutum) that is brown to reddish‑brown, often bearing a faint pattern of lighter and darker patches. In the engorged stage the abdomen expands dramatically, becoming balloon‑shaped, smooth, and pale gray or reddish, sometimes reaching 10–12 mm in length.

The ventral side reveals the mouthparts, a pair of chelicerae and a barbed hypostome that pierces the skin. These structures are visible as a small, dark, protruding projection near the center of the tick’s underside. The eyes are absent; visual detection relies on the tick’s sensory organs located on the front of the body (palps).

When positioned on the scalp, the tick may be partially hidden by hair, making the dorsal shield the most observable feature. The attachment site typically shows a small, circular puncture surrounded by a reddened halo. If the tick is engorged, the surrounding skin may appear stretched and slightly raised.

Key characteristics to note:

  • Size: 2–5 mm (unfed), up to 12 mm (engorged).
  • Color: Brown to reddish‑brown dorsal shield; pale gray or reddish abdomen when swollen.
  • Shape: Oval, later becoming spherical as it fills with blood.
  • Mouthparts: Visible as a dark, central projection on the ventral side; barbed hypostome anchors the tick.
  • Location cues: Small puncture wound, possible erythema, and occasional tick excretion (cerebral fluid‑like droplet) at the attachment point.

Understanding these visual markers enables accurate identification and timely removal, reducing the risk of pathogen transmission.