An embedded tick has inserted its mouthparts into the skin to feed. Recognizing an embedded tick and knowing how to remove it is important, as certain ticks can transmit diseases. Prompt identification and removal minimize potential health risks.
Identifying an Embedded Tick
Initially, an embedded tick can be very small, sometimes as tiny as a poppy seed, making it difficult to spot. Its appearance changes significantly as it feeds on blood, becoming engorged over hours or days. An unfed tick is flat and oval-shaped, varying in color from brown, black, or reddish-brown.
As the tick fills with blood, its body swells, becoming rounded and often changing to a gray or pale color. An engorged tick can grow to the size of a pea or even a small grape.
While the tick’s body may be visible above the skin, its head and mouthparts will be buried. Sometimes, tiny legs might be seen protruding from the sides of the bloated body.
The area around the bite might show a small, red bump or irritation, which can sometimes be mistaken for a mosquito bite, scab, or skin tag. Unlike a scab or skin tag, an embedded tick will feel firm or slightly squishy.
Common Hiding Spots on the Body
Ticks often seek out warm, moist, and concealed areas on the body to attach. These preferred locations offer a suitable environment for them to feed undisturbed. Common places to find an embedded tick include the scalp, behind the ears, in the armpits, around the waist, in the groin area, behind the knees, and even inside the belly button.
For children, ticks are frequently found around the head and neck, possibly because their height puts them closer to vegetation. While some tick species, like the black-legged tick (deer tick), attach to various body parts, others, such as the lone star tick, prefer the lower midsection, upper legs, and groin area. After spending time outdoors, thoroughly check these areas to locate any attached ticks.
Immediate Steps After Discovery
Upon discovering an embedded tick, prompt and proper removal reduces the risk of disease transmission. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible, ideally at its head or mouthparts. Pull the tick upward with steady, even pressure, avoiding twisting or jerking, as this can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. If mouthparts remain, the body will naturally push them out over time, and they typically do not transmit disease.
After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Do not use methods such as burning the tick, applying petroleum jelly, or nail polish, as these can agitate the tick and potentially increase the risk of infection. Dispose of the removed tick by:
- Placing it in a sealed container.
- Wrapping it tightly in tape.
- Flushing it down the toilet.
- Submerging it in alcohol.
Avoid crushing the tick with your fingers.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
After a tick bite, monitor for symptoms, as some tick-borne illnesses can develop days to weeks later. Consult a healthcare professional if you develop a rash, especially one that expands or has a “bullseye” appearance, which can be a sign of Lyme disease. This rash can appear within 3 to 30 days and may expand over several days.
Seek medical attention if you experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, or joint pain. Other signs that warrant a medical visit include a painful or blistering bite, or if you are unable to remove the tick completely. Report when the bite occurred and where you likely acquired the tick to help your healthcare provider assess the risk and determine if any treatment, such as antibiotics, is needed.