What does a tick that has embedded in a human's body look like? - briefly
An embedded tick looks like a tiny, raised bump, usually dark‑colored, with the body firmly attached to the skin and the mouthparts directed inward. The surrounding area may show slight redness, and the tick’s abdomen often appears swollen and oval as it feeds.
What does a tick that has embedded in a human's body look like? - in detail
A tick that has attached to human skin appears as a small, rounded to oval object embedded in the epidermis. The anterior portion, consisting of the hypostome and chelicerae, penetrates the dermis and is not visible externally; only the posterior body, the idiosoma, can be seen. In the early feeding stage the tick measures 2–3 mm in length, is pale beige or light brown, and the dorsal surface is smooth. As blood intake progresses, the abdomen expands dramatically, reaching up to 10 mm or more, becoming noticeably swollen, darker in color (deep brown to gray‑black), and more convex.
Visible characteristics include:
- A raised, dome‑shaped bump at the attachment site.
- A central, often darker spot where the mouthparts are inserted; the puncture may be difficult to discern without magnification.
- A clear demarcation between the engorged tick and surrounding skin; the tick’s edges may be slightly raised above the skin surface.
- Possible surrounding erythema or a small halo of redness, especially if the host’s immune response is active.
- In some cases, a tiny white or translucent “halo” around the tick, representing the area of skin edema.
If the tick is partially hidden, only the posterior segment protrudes, resembling a tiny, smooth, button‑like lump. The surrounding skin may feel tender or itchy, but pain is not a reliable indicator of attachment depth.
When removal is required, grasp the exposed portion with fine‑point tweezers as close to the skin as possible, ensuring the mouthparts remain embedded to avoid leaving fragments that could cause localized inflammation.