What does a tick that has penetrated under the skin look like? - briefly
A partially embedded tick looks like a small, dark, raised bump with the body visible and its mouthparts sunk into the skin. The surrounding area may show slight redness, while the tick’s legs are typically hidden beneath the surface.
What does a tick that has penetrated under the skin look like? - in detail
A tick that has become embedded beneath the epidermis presents a distinct visual profile. The body is typically a flattened, oval capsule measuring 2–5 mm in length, depending on species and engorgement stage. When only the mouthparts have entered the skin, the visible portion may appear as a small, dark, raised dot, often resembling a tiny puncture or a tiny black speck. As the tick feeds, its abdomen expands and the outline becomes more prominent, taking on a glossy, reddish‑brown hue that can darken to deep brown or black.
Key visual cues include:
- Mouthparts: The capitulum (head) remains embedded, forming a tiny, often invisible, anchoring point. Occasionally a tiny white or pale tip may be seen protruding from the skin surface.
- Body contour: A smooth, dome‑shaped silhouette without legs visible. Legs are concealed beneath the skin surface.
- Surrounding skin reaction: A localized erythema or a small halo of redness may surround the tick. In some cases, a slight swelling or a raised bump forms around the attachment site.
- Engorgement level: Early attachment shows a thin, pale body; after several hours, the abdomen swells, becoming a noticeable, rounded bulge. Fully engorged ticks can reach up to 10 mm in length and appear markedly distended.
The tick’s position can be confirmed by gently lifting the skin around the lesion; the tick’s body remains fixed while the surrounding skin moves. If the tick is partially removed, the head or mouthparts may remain embedded, appearing as a tiny black point that can be mistaken for a scab.
Accurate identification relies on observing these characteristics without disturbing the attachment, as premature removal may leave mouthparts embedded and increase infection risk.