What does an engorged tick look like in a human? - briefly
An engorged tick appears as a markedly swollen, balloon‑like lesion, often gray‑brown to reddish and as large as a pea (5–10 mm) after feeding. Its body is distended with blood, legs remain visible, and the abdomen looks opaque compared with the flat, pale appearance of an unfed tick.
What does an engorged tick look like in a human? - in detail
An engorged tick attached to a person appears dramatically larger than its unfed state. The body expands to a round, balloon‑like shape, often reaching 5–10 mm in length and up to 15 mm in width, depending on species and duration of feeding. The abdomen becomes glossy and translucent, sometimes showing a reddish or brownish hue as the tick’s blood‑filled gut stretches the cuticle.
Key visual features:
- Size increase: Length and width may double or triple compared to a flat, unfed tick.
- Shape change: The abdomen turns from flat and oval to a spherical, bulging form.
- Color shift: The cuticle darkens; a reddish‑brown tint may be visible through the thin outer layer.
- Surface texture: The expanded cuticle becomes smooth and slightly glistening, contrasting with the rougher dorsal scutum of an unfed specimen.
- Legs: The eight legs remain visible, but they appear shorter relative to the enlarged body and may be partially hidden beneath the swollen abdomen.
- Mouthparts: The capitulum (feeding apparatus) stays anchored in the skin; it may be seen as a small, dark protrusion at the attachment site.
Location on the host can influence appearance. Ticks commonly attach to warm, concealed areas such as the scalp, behind the ears, armpits, groin, or behind the knees. In these spots the engorged tick may be partially obscured by hair or clothing, making the swollen abdomen the most noticeable element.
The visual transformation signals that the tick has been feeding for several days, typically 3–5 days for hard‑shell species (Ixodes, Dermacentor) and up to 7 days for soft‑shell types. At this stage the tick can contain up to 200 µL of blood, equivalent to several times its own weight.
Recognizing these characteristics enables prompt removal and reduces the risk of pathogen transmission associated with prolonged attachment.