What does skin with a tick look like? - briefly
The attachment site looks like a tiny, raised bump that may be reddish or brownish, with the tick itself often visible as a dark, swollen speck in the center. Surrounding skin can show mild irritation, slight redness, or a faint rash.
What does skin with a tick look like? - in detail
A tick attached to the skin appears as a small, rounded object embedded in the epidermis. The body is usually brown or reddish‑brown, smooth, and may be partially hidden by the host’s hair or clothing. The tick’s legs are often visible around the perimeter, giving a spider‑like outline.
When the parasite is unfed, its size ranges from 1 mm (larva) to 3 mm (adult). An unfed tick’s abdomen is flat, and its mouthparts form a tiny, dark puncture at the center of the attachment site. The surrounding skin may show a faint, circular erythema that is often indistinct.
As the tick feeds, it expands dramatically. An engorged specimen can reach 5–10 mm in length, with a balloon‑shaped, grayish or whitish abdomen. The central puncture becomes more pronounced, sometimes leaking clear fluid. The skin around the feeding site may become raised, red, and slightly swollen; in some cases a small halo of inflammation develops.
Key visual indicators include:
- Visible legs radiating from the body’s edge.
- A central dark point (the tick’s hypostome) inserted into the skin.
- Enlargement of the tick’s body over time.
- Localized redness or a raised bump surrounding the attachment.
- Possible fluid leakage from the puncture site.
If the tick is removed prematurely, its mouthparts may remain embedded, appearing as a tiny, dark speck. Complete removal typically leaves a small, healed puncture without lasting discoloration.