What does a tick embedded in the body look like? - briefly
An engorged tick looks like a small, round, dark brown to grayish lump that may resemble a tiny blister, with its mouthparts protruding from the skin. Its body swells to pea size as it fills with blood while the head remains anchored in the bite site.
What does a tick embedded in the body look like? - in detail
A tick that has attached itself to the skin presents as a small, rounded body that can range from the size of a pinhead (≈ 1 mm) when unfed to several millimeters when engorged. The dorsal surface is typically brown to reddish‑brown and may appear glossy. As the insect fills with blood, the abdomen expands, becoming noticeably larger, more dome‑shaped, and often lighter in color, sometimes appearing almost translucent.
The head, or capitulum, is not visible from the surface; instead, a tiny, dark, pin‑like structure may be seen protruding from the skin. This is the hypostome, a set of barbed hooks that anchor the tick to the host. Surrounding the attachment point, the skin may show a small, raised, circular rash. In many cases the surrounding area is mildly erythematous, but the immediate zone around the mouthparts can appear as a pinpoint puncture or a tiny, dark spot.
Key visual cues include:
- Size progression: 1–3 mm (unfed) → 5–10 mm (partially fed) → up to 15 mm (fully engorged).
- Color shift: dark brown → lighter, reddish or grayish as blood fills the body.
- Shape change: flat and oval → convex, balloon‑like abdomen.
- Mouthpart visibility: a tiny, dark, needle‑shaped projection at the center of the lesion.
- Skin reaction: mild redness, occasional swelling, but usually no surrounding ulceration.
When the tick is removed, the attached mouthparts often remain embedded in the dermis. The residual opening may appear as a small puncture that can close quickly. If the mouthparts are left in place, a localized inflammatory response may develop, sometimes producing a raised, itchy nodule that can persist for days to weeks.
Recognizing these characteristics enables prompt identification and appropriate removal, reducing the risk of pathogen transmission.