What does a tick bite look like on a person? - briefly
A tick bite typically presents as a tiny, red, painless bump, sometimes with a dark central dot where the tick’s mouthparts are attached. Enlargement, a rash, or a clear halo around the site may indicate infection and warrants medical evaluation.
What does a tick bite look like on a person? - in detail
A tick attachment is usually visible as a small, rounded bump on the skin. The bite site may present the following features:
- A red or pink halo surrounding the point where the tick’s mouthparts penetrate the epidermis.
- A central puncture mark, often less than 2 mm in diameter, sometimes filled with a tiny amount of blood.
- The engorged tick itself, which can appear as a dark brown or black oval, gradually enlarging as it feeds.
When a tick remains attached for several hours, the surrounding erythema can become more pronounced, sometimes forming a target‑shaped lesion with concentric rings of redness. In some cases, the center of the lesion may stay pale while the outer ring darkens, a pattern known as a “bull’s‑eye” rash.
Additional observations include:
- Swelling or mild tenderness around the bite.
- A clear line of attachment, visible when the tick is lifted, indicating the direction of entry.
- Possible itching or a sensation of warmth at the site.
If the tick is removed promptly, the bite often heals within a few days, leaving a small scar or faint discoloration. Persistent redness, expanding rash, fever, or flu‑like symptoms after a bite should prompt medical evaluation, as they may signal transmission of tick‑borne pathogens.