What does a tick look like on a child's head? - briefly
A tick presents as a small, dome‑shaped, brown or black organism about 2–5 mm across, attached to the scalp. When fed, it swells into a gray‑ish or reddish bump that can be hard to spot beneath hair.
What does a tick look like on a child's head? - in detail
A tick attached to a child’s hair or scalp appears as a small, oval‑shaped parasite that may be difficult to see among strands of hair. The body is typically a few millimeters long when unfed, expanding to several centimeters after a blood meal. Color ranges from reddish‑brown in an unfed state to dark gray or black when engorged. The ventral side is smoother than the dorsal surface, which often bears tiny, raised scutes forming a patterned shield.
Key visual characteristics:
- Size – 2–5 mm before feeding; 5–10 mm or larger after engorgement.
- Shape – Rounded, flattened body with a distinct head‑to‑tail orientation.
- Color – Light brown to reddish in early stages; darkening to gray‑black when swollen.
- Mouthparts – Visible as a tiny, pointed projection at the front; may appear as a tiny “pin” or “hook” embedded in the skin.
- Legs – Four pairs of short legs near the anterior; legs are often hidden beneath hair but can be seen as tiny, pale protrusions.
- Attachment site – Typically a firm, raised bump on the scalp; the surrounding skin may show a small area of redness or irritation.
When a tick is fully fed, the abdomen becomes noticeably distended, giving the parasite a balloon‑like appearance. The skin around the attachment may be slightly irritated, but the tick itself often remains motionless, clinging tightly with its mouthparts inserted into the epidermis.
To confirm presence, part the hair and examine the scalp closely, using a magnifying glass if necessary. Look for a firm, rounded object that does not detach easily when pulled. If a tick is suspected, grasp it with fine tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure. This method reduces the risk of leaving mouthparts embedded, which could cause local inflammation.