What is a tick on the skin called? - briefly
A tick that has latched onto the skin is called an attached tick, often described as a tick bite. The visible area where the parasite penetrates is referred to as the bite site.
What is a tick on the skin called? - in detail
A tick attached to human skin is medically termed an attached ectoparasite or, more specifically, an engorged ixodid. The organism belongs to the order Ixodida, commonly referred to as hard ticks (family Ixodidae) or soft ticks (family Argasidae), depending on species. When a tick penetrates the epidermis and begins feeding, it inserts its hypostome—a barbed feeding tube—into the host’s tissue, creating a characteristic raised bump.
The life cycle includes four stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Each active stage requires a blood meal. After attachment, the tick progresses through:
- Attachment phase – hypostome insertion, secretion of cementing saliva.
- Feeding phase – blood intake; duration varies from a few hours (larvae) to several days (adult females).
- Engorgement – body expands up to 100 times original size; visible swelling indicates prolonged feeding.
- Detachment – tick drops off to molt or lay eggs.
Identification relies on morphological features:
- Scutum: dorsal shield present in hard ticks, absent in soft ticks.
- Mouthparts: visible from dorsal view in hard ticks.
- Leg count: eight legs in all stages; larvae have six legs until molting.
Medical significance stems from pathogen transmission. Common agents include Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (anaplasmosis), and Rickettsia spp. Transmission risk increases with feeding duration; removal within 24 hours markedly reduces infection probability.
Proper removal technique:
- Use fine‑point tweezers or a tick‑removal tool.
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Apply steady, downward pressure to pull straight out; avoid twisting.
- Disinfect the bite area and wash hands.
- Preserve the specimen in a sealed container for laboratory analysis if disease symptoms develop.
Post‑removal monitoring includes observing the site for erythema, expanding rash, or flu‑like symptoms within 30 days. Early diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy improve outcomes for tick‑borne illnesses.