What does the skin look like when a tick is underneath it? - briefly
The spot looks like a small, raised, flesh‑colored or reddish bump with a dark central point where the tick’s mouthparts are embedded. A faint halo of irritation or mild rash may surround the attachment site.
What does the skin look like when a tick is underneath it? - in detail
When a tick embeds itself beneath the epidermis, the affected area presents several distinct visual cues.
The bite site typically appears as a tiny, raised papule measuring 1–2 mm in diameter. The central point often shows a dark, punctate spot where the tick’s hypostome has pierced the skin. Around this core, a faint halo of erythema may be visible, ranging from pink to reddish‑brown, depending on individual skin tone and the degree of inflammation. The surrounding tissue can feel slightly swollen or firm to the touch, but the edema is usually minimal in the early stages.
If the parasite has begun to fill with blood, the skin over the attachment may stretch, creating a larger, more noticeable dome‑shaped swelling. In this case, the central dark area expands as the tick’s body becomes visible through the thin epidermis. The surrounding rim of redness often becomes more pronounced, sometimes forming a concentric ring that can be mistaken for a target lesion.
Key observable characteristics:
- Small, raised bump (1–2 mm) at the entry point.
- Dark punctum marking the mouthparts.
- Light to moderate erythematous halo.
- Possible mild edema, giving a firm texture.
- Enlarged, dome‑shaped swelling if the tick is engorged, with a broader dark central area.
The skin’s surface remains otherwise intact; no ulceration or crusting occurs unless secondary infection develops. The visual profile changes gradually as the tick feeds, progressing from a subtle punctum to a more conspicuous, swollen nodule.