What does a tick bite look like on human skin when the tick is no longer present? - briefly
After the tick detaches, the spot typically presents as a small, red papule roughly the size of a pinhead, occasionally encircled by a faint halo. A pinpoint puncture may be visible at the centre, and the area can become mildly raised or form a thin scab within a few days.
What does a tick bite look like on human skin when the tick is no longer present? - in detail
A tick bite without the attached arthropod appears as a small, often inconspicuous lesion on the skin. The most consistent feature is a pinpoint puncture mark where the mouthparts entered the epidermis. Surrounding this central point, a faint halo of redness may be visible, ranging from a few millimeters to a centimeter in diameter. The surrounding erythema can be uniform or display a slightly raised border, giving the appearance of a tiny papule.
In the first few hours after removal, the site may be slightly swollen and tender. A thin, translucent crust may form over the puncture, sometimes mistaken for a scab. The crust can darken as blood coagulates, producing a tiny, dark spot at the center of the lesion. Itching or mild irritation is common, but pain is not guaranteed.
If the bite triggers an inflammatory response, the lesion may evolve:
- Day 1‑2: Red, flat macule with central punctum; possible mild edema.
- Day 3‑5: Slight elevation forming a papule; crust may become more pronounced.
- Day 6‑10: Possible development of a small nodule; surrounding redness may expand.
- Beyond two weeks: Gradual fading of redness; crust falls off; skin returns to normal unless secondary infection occurs.
A distinctive “bull’s‑eye” pattern—an expanding ring of redness surrounding a clear center—can appear days after the bite and may indicate infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme disease. This rash, known as erythema migrans, typically reaches 5–30 cm in diameter and is not present at the moment of tick detachment.
Secondary signs of infection include increasing warmth, pus formation, or spreading cellulitis. Absence of these signs usually signifies a benign reaction that resolves without medical intervention.