What does a small tick on the body look like? - briefly
A tiny, dark, oval arachnid about 2–5 mm long, with a flattened, engorged body and four pairs of short legs visible at its margins. It presents as a small, raised bump that may be partly concealed by the surrounding skin.
What does a small tick on the body look like? - in detail
A small tick attached to human skin appears as a tiny, oval or round organism, typically 2–5 mm in length before feeding. The dorsal surface is smooth, often brownish‑gray, and may show faint striping or a mottled pattern depending on the species. When unfed, the body is flat and its eight legs are clearly visible, each ending in a tiny claw that grips the skin.
Key visual characteristics:
- Size: roughly the width of a pinhead; enlarges up to three times after a blood meal.
- Color: light brown to dark brown; some species display a reddish hue when engorged.
- Shape: rounded or slightly elongated; the front edge (capitulum) contains the mouthparts and is often more pronounced.
- Texture: smooth and slightly glossy; the ventral side may appear more matte due to the attachment cement.
- Legs: eight short legs clustered near the front; each leg is hair‑like and may be difficult to see without magnification.
- Mouthparts: a pair of needle‑like structures called chelicerae, visible as a small protrusion at the front, used to pierce skin.
When a tick begins to feed, its abdomen swells, turning a deep reddish‑brown and becoming more rounded. The body may appear semi‑transparent, allowing the red blood inside to be seen. The attachment site often shows a small, circular area of skin irritation, sometimes surrounded by a faint halo of redness.
Recognition tips:
- Look for a tiny, dark, rounded bump that does not move freely on the skin.
- Verify the presence of legs or the characteristic mouthpart projection at the front.
- Note any change in size or color over a few hours, indicating blood intake.
Accurate identification relies on close visual inspection, preferably with a magnifying glass or a smartphone camera set to macro mode.