What does a subcutaneous tick look like on the head? - briefly
A subcutaneous tick on the scalp presents as a small, raised, flesh‑colored nodule with a central punctum where the mouthparts are embedded. The surrounding skin may show slight redness, while the tick remains hidden beneath the surface.
What does a subcutaneous tick look like on the head? - in detail
A subcutaneous tick on the scalp presents as a small, dome‑shaped nodule that may be mistaken for a cyst or pimple. The body of the parasite is typically brown to reddish‑brown, measuring 2–5 mm in diameter, with a smooth, glistening surface. The abdomen often appears engorged after feeding, causing the nodule to swell and become slightly raised above the surrounding skin.
Key visual cues include:
- A central punctum or tiny opening at the top of the nodule, through which the tick’s mouthparts are anchored to the host tissue.
- Surrounding erythema or redness that may be faint or pronounced, depending on the host’s inflammatory response.
- A firm consistency that does not fluctuate like a fluid‑filled blister; palpation reveals a solid mass beneath the epidermis.
- Occasionally, a faint halo of edema extending a few millimetres from the lesion, indicating local tissue reaction.
In some cases, the tick’s legs can be partially visible through the thin scalp skin, appearing as fine, pale filaments radiating from the central body. The surrounding hair may be displaced or appear thinner over the affected area due to mechanical irritation.
Accompanying symptoms may comprise mild itching, a sensation of movement, or localized tenderness. Systemic signs such as fever or rash are uncommon unless the tick transmits a pathogen. Early identification relies on recognizing the characteristic combination of a raised, brown nodule with a central punctum on the head region.