What does a tick look like on a human body? - briefly
A tick attached to the skin appears as a tiny, rounded, flat or slightly raised bump, usually brown or gray, that may swell and turn reddish after it begins to feed.
What does a tick look like on a human body? - in detail
A feeding tick appears as a small, rounded mass attached to the skin. The body is engorged, often swelling to the size of a pea or larger, depending on feeding duration. The back (scutum) is typically darker than the surrounding skin, ranging from brown to reddish‑brown, and may have a slightly raised edge. The head (capitulum) is visible as a tiny, black or dark brown protrusion that inserts into the skin; it may be partially concealed by the engorged abdomen.
Key visual features:
- Size: from 2 mm (unfed) to 10 mm or more (fully engorged).
- Shape: oval, dome‑shaped, smooth contour without visible legs.
- Color: brown, reddish‑brown, or grayish; may darken as blood fills the body.
- Surface texture: glossy, slightly sticky, no obvious segmentation.
- Attachment point: a small, dark mouthpart penetrating the epidermis, often surrounded by a clear or reddish halo from irritation.
Location on the body influences detection. Common attachment sites include the scalp, neck, armpits, groin, and behind the knees, where the skin is thin and less likely to be brushed off. When a tick is removed, the bite mark may be a tiny puncture surrounded by a reddened area that can persist for several days.
If the tick is not fully engorged, it resembles a flat, brownish disc about the size of a grain of sand, with visible legs extending from the underside. In that stage, the body is not markedly swollen, and the capitulum may be more apparent.