How long does a subcutaneous tick live? - briefly
A tick lodged beneath the skin can survive for roughly two to four weeks before it either dies or emerges.
How long does a subcutaneous tick live? - in detail
The period a tick remains viable after penetrating beneath the epidermis depends on species, developmental stage, and host conditions. Adult Ixodes scapularis, for example, can survive for 7–10 days after embedding, while Dermacentor variabilis may persist up to 14 days. Larval and nymphal stages generally have shorter survival times, often less than a week, because they require rapid blood intake to complete their molt.
Key determinants of longevity include:
- Blood availability – continuous feeding prolongs survival; interruption forces the parasite to detach or perish.
- Host immune response – strong inflammatory reactions can destroy the tick within a few days.
- Temperature and humidity – optimal ambient conditions (15‑25 °C, >70 % relative humidity) extend the tick’s viable window; extreme heat or desiccation accelerates mortality.
- Anatomical location – subdermal placement in well‑vascularized tissue supplies nutrients, whereas deeper, poorly perfused sites limit sustenance.
If the tick completes its engorgement, it typically detaches and drops to the ground to lay eggs (in females) or to molt (in males). Failure to detach before the host’s immune system eliminates it results in death, usually within 3–5 days after the feeding phase ends.
In rare cases, a tick may remain dormant for several weeks after being encapsulated by fibrous tissue, but it will not retain the ability to feed and will eventually decompose. Consequently, the practical lifespan of an under‑skin tick ranges from a few days to two weeks, with occasional extensions under optimal environmental and physiological circumstances.