What does a tick look like inside a body? - briefly
An engorged tick resembles a whitish, balloon‑like mass that expands to fill the skin cavity, often reaching the size of a small grape. Its mouthparts stay embedded in the tissue, appearing as a tiny, pale protrusion at the attachment site.
What does a tick look like inside a body? - in detail
A tick that has attached and begun feeding expands dramatically. The abdomen, originally a few millimeters in length, can swell to 10–15 mm or more, forming a balloon‑like structure that dominates the visible portion of the parasite. The dorsal surface turns a pale gray‑white, while the ventral side remains darker, often brown or reddish, reflecting the blood‑filled midgut. The mouthparts—palps and hypostome—remain embedded in the skin, appearing as a small, dark, protruding cluster at the center of the engorged body.
Internally, the tick’s digestive system is filled with liquid blood, giving the midgut a translucent, amber hue when the cuticle is stretched thin. The salivary glands, located near the mouthparts, are enlarged and produce anticoagulant and immunomodulatory compounds that facilitate prolonged feeding. The reproductive organs, especially in females, become visible as a distinct, pinkish mass behind the abdomen, indicating rapid egg development.
Key visual characteristics of a fed tick within the host:
- Size: 10–20 mm long, 5–10 mm wide, depending on species and feeding duration.
- Color: Light gray‑white dorsal surface; ventral side darker, often brown or reddish.
- Shape: Rounded, balloon‑like abdomen attached to a narrower anterior segment containing the mouthparts.
- Mouthparts: Small, dark, firmly anchored in the skin, often mistaken for a tiny black dot.
- Surface texture: Smooth, stretched cuticle that may appear glossy due to the thinness of the exoskeleton over the blood meal.
The attachment site on the skin typically shows a small, circular puncture surrounded by a faint erythema. The surrounding tissue may exhibit mild swelling, but the tick itself remains the most conspicuous element because of its enlarged, pale body contrasting with the host’s skin tone. Removal should be performed with fine‑point tweezers, grasping the mouthparts as close to the skin as possible to avoid leaving fragments that could continue to release pathogens.