What does an attached tick look on the skin? - briefly
An attached tick appears as a small, rounded bump that may be brown, gray or darkened, often slightly raised and resembling a pea. Its head (hypostome) is embedded in the skin, leaving a tiny, sometimes visible, puncture point at the center.
What does an attached tick look on the skin? - in detail
An engorged tick attached to human skin appears as a rounded, dome‑shaped body that is firmly anchored by its mouthparts. The dorsal surface is typically brown to reddish‑brown, with a smooth or slightly mottled texture that may darken as the insect fills with blood. The size varies: unfed nymphs are about 1–2 mm, while fully engorged adults can reach 5–10 mm in length and expand to the size of a pea.
Key visual indicators include:
- Head and mouthparts: The tick’s capitulum (mouthparts) protrudes from the skin, forming a small, triangular projection often described as a “feeding tube” or “hypostome.” It may be visible as a tiny, dark point at the center of the attachment site.
- Swelling around the bite: The surrounding skin may exhibit a slight erythema or a faint halo, especially if the tick has been attached for several hours. In many cases the area remains minimally inflamed.
- Color change: As blood is ingested, the tick’s abdomen becomes noticeably more distended and lighter in color, sometimes taking on a creamy or grayish hue.
- Movement: Once attached, the tick remains motionless; any visible movement typically involves the legs at the perimeter of the body, not the mouthparts.
- Attachment depth: The tick’s legs are positioned laterally, while the mouthparts are inserted deep enough that the body sits flush against the skin, creating a seamless appearance with only the tip of the hypostome visible.
Recognition of these characteristics enables accurate identification and timely removal, reducing the risk of pathogen transmission.