How does a tick under the skin on the leg look? - briefly
It looks like a tiny, dark, raised bump—often a small black dot or firm nodule—just beneath the skin’s surface. The surrounding tissue may exhibit a faint red or pink halo indicating irritation.
How does a tick under the skin on the leg look? - in detail
A tick that has penetrated the skin of the lower limb presents as a small, dome‑shaped nodule protruding from the epidermis. The body is typically gray‑brown when unfed and enlarges to a dark, engorged, balloon‑like form as it fills with blood. The head, or capitulum, may be visible as a tiny, darker point at the anterior end, sometimes resembling a pinhead. Surrounding the attachment site, the skin often appears slightly raised, with a thin, translucent halo caused by localized inflammation. In many cases a clear or slightly reddish ring encircles the tick, indicating the area where the cuticle has been stretched. The tick’s legs, if not fully embedded, may be seen as tiny, bristly appendages extending outward from the central body. When the parasite is fully engorged, the overall diameter can reach up to 10 mm, resembling a small grape or a pea. The surrounding tissue may feel warm to the touch and may exhibit mild itching or tenderness, but pain is not guaranteed.
Key visual cues:
- Dome‑shaped, raised nodule on the leg surface
- Color transition from light brown to deep black as it feeds
- Visible mouthparts or tiny dark point at the front
- Thin, translucent halo or erythematous ring around the lesion
- Possible leg extensions if the tick is not completely embedded
These characteristics allow identification of a feeding tick embedded in the skin of the leg.