What does a subcutaneous tick look like in a photo? - briefly
In a photograph, a subcutaneous tick looks like a tiny, dark, oval or round swelling just beneath the skin surface, often with a faint punctate opening where its mouthparts entered. The surrounding skin may be slightly raised, giving the impression of a smooth, small nodule.
What does a subcutaneous tick look like in a photo? - in detail
A subcutaneous tick captured in a photograph appears as a rounded, oval mass beneath the epidermis. The organism’s body is usually dark brown to black, with a glossy surface that reflects light when illuminated from a low angle. The outline is smooth, lacking the segmented texture visible on an exposed tick. Around the embedded region, the skin may show a slight elevation, often lighter in color due to inflammation or a thin, translucent dome formed by the tick’s mouthparts.
Key visual characteristics:
- Size: 3–10 mm in diameter, depending on species and feeding stage.
- Shape: Oval to slightly elongated; the anterior end may be tapered where the hypostome penetrates the tissue.
- Color contrast: Dark body against a paler or erythematous background; the border may be faintly visible as a halo of redness.
- Surface texture: Uniform sheen without visible legs or sensory organs; legs are retracted inside the body.
- Surrounding skin: May exhibit a thin, clear fluid collection or a small puncture mark at the apex of the tick.
Photographic considerations that enhance identification:
- Use macro lens or close‑up setting to resolve details of the tick’s dorsal shield (scutum) and ventral plates.
- Employ diffused lighting to reduce glare on the glossy cuticle and to highlight subtle color differences.
- Capture images from multiple angles; an oblique view can reveal the hypostome’s entry point as a tiny, slightly raised tip.
Distinguishing this presentation from other dermal lesions:
- Unlike a cyst, the mass lacks a well‑defined capsule and shows a uniform dark interior.
- Unlike a papule, there are no visible epidermal ridges or scaling; the surface remains smooth.
- The absence of visible legs or spiracular plates confirms that the tick is fully embedded rather than crawling on the skin surface.
In summary, a photograph of a tick lodged under the skin shows a smooth, dark, oval structure with a subtle surrounding erythema, a tapered anterior tip, and a glossy surface, best visualized with macro optics and controlled lighting.