What will happen if a tick gets under the skin? - briefly
An embedded «tick» can cause a painful lesion, inflammation, and may transmit pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi, leading to Lyme disease. Prompt removal and medical evaluation reduce the risk of complications.
What will happen if a tick gets under the skin? - in detail
When a tick penetrates the epidermal layer and reaches the dermis, it establishes a feeding site that triggers a cascade of physiological responses.
The attachment process begins with the insertion of the tick’s hypostome, a barbed feeding organ. Saliva containing anticoagulants, immunomodulatory proteins, and enzymes is injected into the host tissue. These substances prevent blood clotting, suppress local immune reactions, and facilitate prolonged feeding.
Consequences for the host include:
- Localized inflammation: redness, swelling, and warmth develop around the bite due to vasodilation and leukocyte recruitment.
- Formation of a necrotic lesion: prolonged feeding may cause tissue necrosis, producing a small ulcer or crater-shaped wound.
- Transmission of pathogens: ticks are vectors for bacteria (e.g., Borrelia burgdorferi), protozoa, and viruses; infection risk rises with feeding duration exceeding 24 hours.
- Allergic reactions: some individuals experience hypersensitivity to tick saliva, resulting in erythema, pruritus, or systemic symptoms such as fever and malaise.
- Secondary infection: disruption of the skin barrier allows opportunistic bacteria to colonize the wound, potentially leading to cellulitis.
If the tick remains attached for several days, the feeding cavity enlarges, and the host’s immune system may generate a granulomatous response. This manifests as a firm, raised nodule that can persist after the tick is removed.
Prompt removal of the tick, preferably with fine-tipped tweezers, reduces the likelihood of pathogen transmission. After extraction, cleaning the site with antiseptic and monitoring for signs of infection or rash is advisable. Persistent erythema, expanding lesions, or flu-like symptoms warrant medical evaluation for possible tick-borne disease.