What does a subcutaneous tick look? - briefly
A subcutaneous tick presents as a small, raised, skin‑colored nodule that may look like a hard lump or cyst, often with a tiny puncture point at its center. The parasite’s body can sometimes be seen through the skin as a dark, elongated shape.
What does a subcutaneous tick look? - in detail
A tick that has migrated into the subdermal layer presents as a small, often oval or round mass beneath the skin surface. The organism’s body is flattened dorsoventrally, measuring roughly 2–5 mm in length when engorged, and up to 1 mm when unfed. Its exoskeleton appears as a hard, brown‑to‑dark brown shield (scutum) that may be partially visible through the overlying tissue, especially if the tick is partially engorged.
Key visual cues include:
- Outline: A faint, raised contour that can be felt as a firm nodule; the edges may be slightly irregular due to the tick’s legs and mouthparts.
- Coloration: Uniform dark hue, sometimes with a glossy sheen; blood‑filled specimens exhibit a reddish‑brown tint.
- Texture: The surface feels smooth to the touch, lacking the roughness of a typical skin papule.
- Mobility: The tick remains immobile; attempts to move the lesion cause a subtle tugging sensation as the mouthparts are anchored in the dermis.
- Surrounding reaction: A thin rim of erythema or mild swelling may surround the entry point, indicating localized inflammation.
On close inspection, the tick’s mouthparts (hypostome) are not visible externally but may cause a tiny puncture mark at the center of the nodule. In some cases, a thin, translucent membrane covering the tick’s dorsal surface can be seen, especially when the organism is partially engorged and the skin is stretched.
Diagnostic confirmation often requires a careful palpation to differentiate the mass from other subcutaneous nodules, such as cysts or lipomas. If the tick is suspected, gentle extraction with fine‑point tweezers, grasping as close to the skin as possible, is recommended to avoid leaving mouthparts behind.