What will happen if a tick is already under the skin? - briefly
If a tick has already penetrated the skin, it can release saliva containing pathogens, causing local inflammation and possible transmission of infections such as «Lyme disease». Immediate removal with fine tweezers and prompt medical evaluation reduce the risk of complications.
What will happen if a tick is already under the skin? - in detail
When a tick penetrates the epidermis and reaches the dermal layer, it anchors with a cement‑like substance and inserts its hypostome. Saliva containing anticoagulants, anti‑inflammatory agents and potential pathogens is released continuously during feeding. Within the first 24 hours, the risk of transmitting bacterial agents such as Borrelia burgdorferi is low; however, the probability rises sharply after 48 hours of attachment.
The host’s immune system responds with a localized inflammatory reaction. Histamine release produces erythema and swelling around the bite site. In some cases, a palpable, raised nodule (often called a “tick bite lesion”) forms, persisting for several days after removal.
Complications may include:
- Transmission of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis or other tick‑borne infections, depending on the tick species and geographic region.
- Development of tick‑borne paralysis caused by neurotoxins that interfere with peripheral nerve transmission; symptoms typically appear within 2–7 days of attachment and resolve after the tick is removed.
- Secondary bacterial infection at the bite site, especially if the skin barrier is breached repeatedly during removal attempts.
Effective removal requires:
- Using fine‑pointed tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal tool.
- Grasping the tick as close to the skin surface as possible, avoiding compression of the body.
- Applying steady, upward traction without twisting.
After extraction, the bite area should be cleansed with an antiseptic solution. Monitoring for signs of infection, expanding redness, fever, headache, joint pain or neurological symptoms is essential. Prompt medical evaluation is advised if any systemic manifestations develop.
Early detection and proper removal reduce the likelihood of long‑term sequelae associated with embedded ticks.