How does it look if a tick burrows under the skin? - briefly
It appears as a small, raised red or pink bump with a dark central point where the tick’s mouthparts are embedded. The surrounding skin may be mildly irritated or swollen, and the tick’s body can be seen as a tiny black speck at the surface.
How does it look if a tick burrows under the skin? - in detail
When a tick penetrates the skin, the visible sign is a small, dome‑shaped protrusion. The body of the parasite appears as a dark, often brown or black, rounded bump about 2‑5 mm in diameter at the initial stage. As the tick feeds, its abdomen expands, turning a lighter gray or bluish hue and increasing to several centimeters in length for fully engorged specimens.
The attachment point is a pinpoint opening, called the capitulum, located at the center of the bump. This punctum may be slightly raised and may bleed when pressed. Surrounding the tick, the skin often shows a thin ring of erythema, ranging from pink to reddish‑brown, which can be more pronounced in sensitive individuals.
Typical visual cues include:
- A solid, raised nodule that does not move when the surrounding skin is palpated.
- A central dark dot or tiny hole, representing the mouthparts.
- Gradual enlargement of the nodule over hours to days as the tick fills with blood.
- Possible mild swelling or itching around the site, though pain is uncommon.
If the tick is removed prematurely, a small, shallow crater may remain, sometimes filled with a clear fluid. In later stages, after the tick detaches, the skin may retain a faint scar or a lingering discoloration that fades over weeks.