What does an embedded tick look like on the skin? - briefly
An embedded tick presents as a tiny, dark, raised bump; the tick’s head or mouthparts may be visible at the skin surface. The body is often partially hidden beneath the skin, with only the tip protruding.
What does an embedded tick look like on the skin? - in detail
An embedded tick presents as a small, rounded or oval object firmly attached to the epidermis. The body is typically brown to reddish‑brown, becoming darker as the tick feeds. Size varies from 2 mm in the unfed stage to 10 mm or more when engorged, with the abdomen expanding markedly while the mouthparts remain concealed.
Key visual characteristics:
- A smooth, dome‑shaped dorsal surface lacking obvious legs; legs are drawn into a groove near the head.
- A visible capitulum (mouthparts) at the anterior end, often appearing as a tiny, pale protrusion or as a dark “pinhead” embedded in the skin.
- A clear demarcation between the tick’s body and surrounding skin; the attachment site may show a slight depression or a halo of erythema.
- In later feeding stages, the tick’s body becomes translucent, revealing a pale, fluid‑filled interior.
- The surrounding skin may exhibit a mild inflammatory ring, sometimes accompanied by a small ulceration if the tick’s mouthparts are disturbed.
Additional observations:
- The tick’s attachment is secured by a cement‑like secretion that hardens, making removal difficult without specialized tools.
- The skin around the attachment may feel warm or slightly raised, but pain is typically minimal.
- If the tick is partially detached, the capitulum may remain embedded, appearing as a tiny, black dot that can be mistaken for a scar or puncture wound.