What does a tick look like at the bite site? - briefly
At the bite site a tick looks like a tiny, dark, oval or round disc, often partially embedded with its mouthparts visible as a small pinhead. The surrounding skin may show a faint red halo or slight swelling.
What does a tick look like at the bite site? - in detail
A tick attached to the skin presents as a small, rounded body that may be partially or fully visible through the surrounding epidermis. The dorsal surface is typically brown to reddish‑brown, becoming paler as the insect fills with blood. Size varies from 1–3 mm in an unfed state to 5–10 mm or larger when engorged. The body is flattened, with a leathery cuticle that can appear glossy when moist.
The ventral side shows the mouthparts, known as the capitulum, which include the chelicerae and the barbed hypostome. These structures penetrate the skin and are often hidden beneath the tick’s body, but a tiny dark punctum may be seen at the center of the bite. Six legs emerge from the anterior portion of the tick; they are short and may be visible as faint, pale protrusions around the attachment point.
Surrounding the tick, the skin typically exhibits a localized erythema. The redness may form a small halo around the punctum, ranging from 2–5 mm in diameter. In some cases, a clear or serous fluid may accumulate, creating a tiny vesicle or bullae adjacent to the attachment site. The surrounding tissue may feel warm to the touch, but pain is usually minimal unless an allergic reaction occurs.
Key visual indicators of a feeding tick include:
- Rounded, brownish body partially embedded in the skin
- Central dark punctum indicating mouthpart insertion
- Visible leg clusters at the anterior edge of the body
- Localized erythema with possible peripheral vesicle
Recognition of these characteristics facilitates prompt removal and reduces the risk of pathogen transmission.