What does a tick look like in a human ear? - briefly
In the ear canal a tick appears as a tiny, dark, flattened oval about the size of a grain of rice, with its eight legs visible around the edges and often partially engorged with blood.
What does a tick look like in a human ear? - in detail
A tick lodged in the ear canal appears as a small, oval‑shaped arthropod, typically 2–5 mm in length when unfed and up to 10 mm after engorgement. The dorsal surface is smooth and dark brown to reddish‑black, sometimes with a lighter, translucent margin near the legs. Six legs emerge from the ventral side in three pairs; the front pair are longer and may be visible as tiny extensions near the body’s anterior edge.
Key visual features include:
- Size: enlarges rapidly after feeding; an engorged specimen can fill a noticeable portion of the canal.
- Color: dark, glossy exoskeleton that may become paler as the tick expands.
- Shape: rounded, slightly flattened body that conforms to the canal’s curvature.
- Movement: limited; ticks may sway gently but rarely crawl actively once attached.
- Attachment point: a solid, puckered mouthpart (hypostome) embedded in the skin of the ear canal, often appearing as a small, dark protrusion.
The surrounding tissue may show erythema, swelling, or a thin layer of fluid. In some cases, a thin, waxy secretion or debris may be present, masking part of the tick’s body. If the tick is partially engorged, the abdomen may appear swollen and translucent, allowing faint visibility of blood within.
Recognizing these characteristics enables prompt identification and removal, reducing the risk of secondary infection or disease transmission.