What does a tick under a child's skin look like? - briefly
«A partially engorged tick appears as a small, round, dark brown or gray bump, often with a clear zone where the mouthparts are attached to the skin. If fully engorged, the body swells to a balloon‑like shape, measuring up to several millimeters in diameter.»
What does a tick under a child's skin look like? - in detail
A tick that has penetrated a child’s skin appears as a small, dome‑shaped organism firmly attached to the epidermis. In its unfed stage the body measures 2–5 mm, is light brown to gray, and the legs are visible around the perimeter. The mouthparts, consisting of a pair of chelicerae, create a tiny puncture that may be difficult to see without magnification.
When the tick becomes engorged, the abdomen expands dramatically, reaching up to 10 mm or more. The coloration shifts to a darker brown or reddish hue, and the body takes on a balloon‑like, rounded profile. The legs may be partially obscured by the swollen abdomen, and the overall texture becomes softer to the touch.
Visual cues on the surrounding skin include:
- A pinpoint entry wound at the center of the attachment site.
- A surrounding erythematous halo, often 2–5 mm in diameter.
- Localized swelling or a raised bump that follows the shape of the engorged tick.
- Possible exudate if the tick’s saliva irritates the tissue, resulting in a clear or slightly yellowish fluid.
If the tick remains attached for several days, the skin may develop a larger, firm nodule as the body’s immune response encapsulates the parasite. The nodule can persist after removal, gradually diminishing over weeks.
Prompt identification relies on careful visual inspection: note the size, color, and degree of abdominal expansion, as well as any accompanying erythema or edema. Early removal reduces the risk of pathogen transmission and minimizes tissue reaction.