What does a person look like after being bitten by a tick? - briefly
A tiny red puncture marks the bite, frequently encircled by a larger, expanding ring‑shaped rash. If infection sets in, the ring can grow to several centimeters and may be accompanied by fever or fatigue.
What does a person look like after being bitten by a tick? - in detail
A tick attachment creates a localized skin reaction that can be identified without medical imaging. The entry point appears as a small, raised papule, often 2–5 mm in diameter, with a reddish to pink hue. The central area may be slightly darker, reflecting the point where the mouthparts remain embedded. In many cases, the lesion expands into a target‑shaped erythema, characterized by a red outer ring surrounding a paler center; this configuration is commonly called a “bullseye” rash.
Accompanying the primary lesion, the surrounding tissue may exhibit:
- Mild swelling that fades within a few days if infection does not develop
- Pruritus that intensifies after 24 hours
- Tenderness or a dull ache when pressure is applied
If the bite transmits a pathogen such as Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), additional signs emerge. Within 3–10 days, the rash can enlarge to 5–30 cm, maintaining the concentric coloration. Systemic manifestations may include:
- Low‑grade fever
- Headache, often described as throbbing
- Muscular or joint pain, especially in the knees or elbows
Later stages (weeks to months) can present with neurological symptoms (facial palsy, meningitis) or cardiac involvement (heart‑block arrhythmias), although these are less common. The skin changes persist as hyperpigmented patches or faint scars after the inflammatory phase resolves.
Observation of the bite site should continue for at least two weeks. Rapid enlargement, necrosis, or the appearance of multiple lesions warrants immediate clinical evaluation.