Ticks are common outdoor pests that can attach to humans. Many species transmit diseases, making early identification of a burrowed tick important for health. Knowing what an attached tick looks like helps in prompt removal and reduces potential health risks.
Identifying a Burrowed Tick
A burrowed tick appears as a small, dark spot firmly attached to the skin. Its body can range in color, appearing black, brown, or reddish-brown before feeding. An unfed tick can be as tiny as a poppy seed or as large as an apple seed.
As a tick feeds, its body becomes engorged with blood, expanding and changing to a lighter, grayish-blue color. Its head and mouthparts remain embedded in the skin. An engorged tick appears more spherical or teardrop-shaped, with its eight legs often tucked close to the body, making them less prominent than the swollen abdomen. The bite site can show a small, red bump or irritation around the embedded tick, but the tick itself is the primary visual cue.
Common Locations for Tick Burrows
Ticks attach to areas of the body that are warm, moist, and hidden. These include the armpits, groin, and behind the knees, where skin folds provide a secluded environment. The belly button and the waistline are common sites for ticks to burrow.
In children, ticks are found in the hairline and on the scalp, requiring thorough checks after outdoor activities. Other common locations include behind the ears and between the toes and fingers. Regularly checking these areas helps in early detection.
Distinguishing from Other Skin Blemishes
Differentiating a burrowed tick from other skin marks, such as moles or freckles, is important. Unlike moles, which are flat or uniformly raised and permanent, a tick is a foreign object that can be dislodged. A key distinguishing feature of a tick is its distinct body shape and the presence of legs.
Ticks also differ from scabs or dirt, which can be mistaken for them. A scab is an irregular formation over a healing wound, while dirt can be easily wiped away; a tick, however, is firmly attached to the skin. Unlike splinters, which are thin and linear, ticks have a more rounded or oval body. Ingrown hairs or pimples are inflamed and painful and lack the segmented body and legs of a tick.
Immediate Actions Upon Discovery
Upon discovering a burrowed tick, it is important to remain calm and prepare for its removal. The recommended method for removal involves using fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Gently pull upward with steady, even pressure, avoiding twisting or jerking motions, to ensure the entire tick, including its mouthparts, is removed.
Avoid common folk remedies such as burning the tick with a match, applying petroleum jelly, or using nail polish. These methods can irritate the tick, causing it to regurgitate fluids into the bite wound, which increases the risk of disease transmission. After removal, clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water to disinfect the skin. Place the removed tick in a sealed bag or container for identification by a healthcare professional if disease transmission is a concern.