What does a tick embedded in the head look like? - briefly
A tick attached to the scalp presents as a tiny, round, brown‑gray bump, often concealed by hair, with its mouthparts visible as a small protrusion into the skin. The surrounding area may appear reddened or raised, centered around the tick’s feeding point.
What does a tick embedded in the head look like? - in detail
A tick that has penetrated the scalp presents as a small, engorged arachnid attached to the skin. The body measures roughly 2–5 mm when unfed, expanding to 5–10 mm after blood ingestion. The abdomen becomes rounded and noticeably swollen, often taking on a gray‑brown to dark reddish hue. The dorsal surface may appear smooth, while the ventral side shows the mouthparts—chelicerae and a barbed hypostome—inserted into the epidermis.
The attachment site typically shows a punctate opening surrounded by a thin, pale halo. Around the bite, the skin may be slightly raised, with a faint erythema that can extend a few millimeters from the point of entry. In some cases, a small crust forms as the tick’s feeding progresses, and a clear line of attachment (the “tick’s silhouette”) may be visible through the skin.
Key visual indicators include:
- Size increase: noticeable expansion compared to a flat, unfed tick.
- Color shift: from light brown to deep reddish‑brown as blood fills the body.
- Abdominal shape: rounded, dome‑like contour versus a flat, oval shape in unfed stages.
- Mouthpart visibility: chelicerae and hypostome may be seen protruding from the skin surface.
- Surrounding skin reaction: mild erythema, possible slight edema, and a tiny, often translucent, crust.
If the tick is only partially embedded, the anterior half may be visible, with the posterior abdomen hidden beneath the scalp. Full attachment results in the tick’s entire body being flush with the skin, making removal more challenging and increasing the risk of pathogen transmission. Recognizing these characteristics enables prompt identification and proper extraction.