What do tick eggs look like under the skin? - briefly
Under the skin, tick ova appear as tiny, whitish‑creamy, translucent clusters that look like a faint, sand‑like lump. The mass is usually smooth, barely raised, and may be visible through the thin skin surface.
What do tick eggs look like under the skin? - in detail
Tick eggs that develop inside a host’s skin form a compact, white‑to‑cream mass. The mass is typically 1–3 mm in diameter, depending on the species and the number of eggs laid. Individual eggs are oval, 0.2–0.3 mm long, and are packed tightly together, giving the cluster a smooth, slightly granular surface. The surrounding tissue may appear slightly raised, with a faint pink or reddish hue caused by mild inflammation.
Key visual cues:
- Color: Uniform pale coloration, contrasting with the surrounding dermal tissue.
- Texture: Firm yet pliable; the cluster can be felt as a small nodule under the epidermis.
- Shape: Rounded or slightly elongated, matching the contour of the feeding site.
- Surrounding reaction: Minimal edema; occasional tiny punctate hemorrhages if the tick’s mouthparts irritate the skin.
Microscopic examination reveals a chorionic membrane encasing each egg, translucent when wet and opaque when dry. The membrane’s surface shows fine ridges that aid in gas exchange. As embryogenesis progresses, the eggs become more opaque, and the cluster may increase in size by up to 30 %. When the larvae are ready to emerge, the egg mass softens, and tiny white larvae can be observed moving toward the skin surface.
The appearance of this subdermal egg cluster distinguishes it from other dermal lesions, such as cysts or bacterial abscesses, which typically exhibit pus, foul odor, or fluctuating fluid. Recognition of the characteristic color, texture, and size assists clinicians in diagnosing tick‑borne infestations and guiding appropriate removal or treatment.