What will happen if the tick is not pulled out? - briefly
If a tick stays attached, pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi can be transmitted, increasing the risk of Lyme disease and other infections. Additionally, the bite site may become inflamed, ulcerated, or develop a secondary bacterial infection.
What will happen if the tick is not pulled out? - in detail
Leaving a feeding tick attached poses several health risks. Within 24–48 hours of attachment, the parasite can transmit bacteria, viruses, or protozoa that cause diseases such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and tick‑borne encephalitis. The likelihood of infection rises sharply after the 36‑hour mark; early removal dramatically reduces pathogen transfer.
Local tissue damage is another concern. The tick’s mouthparts embed deep into the skin, and prolonged presence can cause inflammation, ulceration, or secondary bacterial infection. Necrotic lesions may develop, especially if the tick’s salivary secretions trigger an allergic response.
Systemic reactions can occur even without infection. Some species secrete neurotoxins that produce a reversible paralysis, beginning with weakness in the limbs and potentially progressing to respiratory failure if the tick remains attached for several days. Prompt removal halts toxin accumulation.
If a tick is not extracted, the host may experience delayed onset of disease symptoms. For Lyme disease, erythema migrans typically appears 3–30 days after the bite, followed by fever, headache, fatigue, and joint pain. Rocky Mountain spotted fever presents with high fever, rash, and organ dysfunction within a week. Early diagnosis is more difficult when the bite is unnoticed, leading to more severe outcomes.
The immune response to tick saliva can also sensitize the individual, increasing the risk of future allergic reactions to tick bites. Repeated exposure may result in heightened local swelling, itching, and systemic urticaria.
In summary, failure to remove a feeding tick can lead to pathogen transmission, tissue necrosis, bacterial superinfection, neurotoxic paralysis, and heightened allergic sensitivity. Each of these complications carries its own morbidity and may require extensive medical intervention.