What appears at the site of a tick bite? - briefly
A small, painless erythematous papule commonly forms at the attachment site, often with a central punctum indicating retained mouthparts. Occasionally, localized swelling or a surrounding halo of redness develops within hours to days.
What appears at the site of a tick bite? - in detail
The bite of an ixodid arthropod creates a puncture wound that may be barely perceptible. Immediately after attachment, the skin often shows a small, erythematous papule surrounding the tick’s mouthparts. This lesion may be accompanied by mild edema and a sensation of warmth.
Within the first 24–48 hours, the local response can evolve:
- Persistent erythema, sometimes expanding to a few centimeters in diameter.
- A central vesicle or pustule, indicating a more pronounced inflammatory reaction.
- A crusted scab that forms as the wound begins to heal.
- Localized pruritus or tenderness, especially when the tick is removed.
In some cases, the site remains clinically silent, showing no visible signs despite the presence of the parasite. Absence of a reaction does not exclude subsequent disease transmission.
When a pathogen is introduced, characteristic lesions may develop:
- A slowly expanding, annular erythema (often termed “target lesion”) appears weeks after the bite, typical of infection with Borrelia burgdorferi.
- A necrotic ulcer, sometimes surrounded by a red halo, can signal infection with Rickettsia species.
- A painless, red papule that enlarges rapidly may indicate Francisella tularensis exposure.
Persistent or worsening lesions warrant laboratory evaluation for tick-borne diseases. Early identification of the cutaneous manifestation facilitates prompt treatment and reduces the risk of systemic complications.