Ticks are small arthropods that can attach to human skin, making their quick identification important. Recognizing an embedded tick early helps ensure its safe removal and can prevent potential health issues that might arise from prolonged attachment.
Appearance of an Embedded Tick
An embedded tick on human skin can vary in appearance depending on its species and how long it has been feeding. Initially, ticks are quite small; some species, like the black-legged deer tick, can be as tiny as a poppy seed, while others might resemble a sesame seed. Their bodies are typically flat and oval-shaped before they begin to feed. Colors can range from black, brown, or reddish-brown to gray.
As a tick feeds, it gradually engorges with blood, causing its body to expand significantly. A partially engorged tick might be about one-eighth of an inch in diameter, but a fully engorged one can swell to the size of a pea or even a small marble, transforming its shape from flat to more rounded or plump. The color of an engorged tick also changes, often becoming lighter, appearing grayish, greenish-blue, or silver as its body stretches and the blood inside becomes visible. Only the tick’s mouthparts are embedded in the skin, with its body protruding outward. While ticks possess eight legs, they may be difficult to discern once the tick is embedded and engorged.
Common Embedding Sites
Ticks often seek out warm, moist, and hidden areas on the body where they are less likely to be disturbed. These areas provide ticks with easy access to blood vessels and a protected environment for feeding. Common embedding sites include:
- Hairline and scalp
- Behind the ears
- Armpits
- Around the waist
- Groin
- Belly button
- Behind the knees
Differentiating Embedded Ticks from Other Skin Blemishes
Distinguishing an embedded tick from other skin marks requires noting its unique characteristics. Unlike a mole, which is typically uniform in color and texture and lacks appendages, an embedded tick appears as a distinct bump protruding from the skin with visible legs.
Scabs are usually flat, irregular, and may contain dried blood, while a tick has a defined, often oval or rounded body extending from the skin. Dirt can be wiped away, which is not possible with an attached tick. A splinter appears as a linear foreign object, unlike the rounded body of a tick.
What to Do Once an Embedded Tick is Identified
Once an embedded tick is identified, prompt and proper removal is important to reduce the risk of potential issues. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure, avoiding any twisting or jerking motions, as this can cause the tick’s mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. If mouthparts do remain, the body will expel them naturally over time.
After the tick has been removed, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Dispose of the live tick by placing it in a sealed container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. Avoid crushing the tick with your fingers.
When Medical Consultation is Necessary
There are specific situations following a tick bite that warrant medical attention. If the tick cannot be fully removed and parts of its mouthparts remain embedded in the skin, a healthcare provider should be consulted. Seek medical advice if signs of infection develop at the bite site, such as increasing redness, swelling, or pus.
Medical consultation is also necessary if systemic symptoms appear days or weeks after the tick bite. These symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, or muscle and joint aches. The development of a rash, particularly an expanding red rash or a “bull’s-eye” rash, also indicates the need for professional medical evaluation. These symptoms could suggest the presence of a tick-borne illness.