What does a tick bite look like after it has fallen off? - briefly
After the tick detaches, the bite site usually appears as a tiny red or pink puncture wound, sometimes surrounded by a faint halo that may linger for a few days. A small scab may form, but the area generally heals without a lasting scar.
What does a tick bite look like after it has fallen off? - in detail
After a tick has detached, the bite area typically presents a tiny, round puncture where the mouthparts entered the skin. The surrounding skin may display a faint erythema that can be almost invisible to the naked eye. In many cases, the central point remains smooth and slightly raised for a short period before flattening.
During the first 24–48 hours, the following observations are common:
- A red ring surrounding the puncture, often less than 5 mm in diameter.
- Mild swelling or a subtle raised rim that may feel warm to the touch.
- Absence of bleeding; the site is usually dry unless the skin has been irritated.
If the bite is left untreated, the appearance can evolve over the subsequent days:
- The erythema may expand, forming a larger circular rash with a clear central clearing, a pattern frequently associated with early Lyme disease.
- The border of the rash can become more defined, sometimes resembling a target or “bull’s‑eye” configuration.
- The skin around the lesion may become itchy or tender, but pain is not typical.
Persistent or expanding redness, especially beyond a week, warrants medical evaluation. Laboratory testing can confirm the presence of tick‑borne pathogens, and prompt antibiotic therapy may be required to prevent systemic complications.