What does a tick look like under the skin on the head? - briefly
When embedded in scalp tissue, a tick appears as a tiny, dark, raised nodule about the size of a pinhead, often with a smooth surface and a visible central puncture where its mouthparts attach. The surrounding skin may show slight reddening but usually remains unbroken.
What does a tick look like under the skin on the head? - in detail
A tick embedded in the scalp appears as a small, flattened, oval structure that is firmly attached to the skin. In its unfed state, the body measures 2–5 mm in length, is light brown or gray, and has a smooth, leathery surface. Once it begins to feed, the abdomen expands dramatically, reaching up to 10 mm or more, and the color deepens to a dark brown or reddish hue. The engorged form is markedly bulbous, with the anterior end (the mouthparts) remaining visible as a tiny, pale, protruding tip.
The mouthparts consist of a barbed hypostome that penetrates the epidermis and anchors the parasite. Around the insertion point, the skin may show a raised, circular area of erythema or a small papule. In some cases, a clear or serous fluid may exude, creating a moist ring. The surrounding hair can become clumped or appear slightly lifted due to the tick’s grip.
Key visual cues include:
- Size change: rapid increase from a few millimeters to a noticeably larger, rounded shape.
- Color shift: transition from light tan to dark brown or reddish.
- Shape alteration: flattening of the dorsal surface in the unfed stage to a convex, balloon‑like abdomen when engorged.
- Mouthpart visibility: a tiny, pale projection at the front, often the only part not covered by the swollen body.
- Skin reaction: localized redness, a small raised bump, or a clear halo around the attachment site.
These characteristics allow accurate identification of a feeding tick on the head, facilitating prompt removal and reducing the risk of pathogen transmission.