Ticks are common outdoor pests that can sometimes present a surprising appearance. While many people recognize ticks by their typical dark brown or black coloring, finding one that appears white can be unexpected. Understanding the reasons behind this color change can help clarify the situation.
Understanding Tick Coloration
The typical coloration of common tick species, such as the blacklegged tick (also known as the deer tick) or the American dog tick, usually ranges from dark brown to black or reddish-brown, determined by the pigmentation in their hard outer shell, known as the scutum, and their exoskeleton. The scutum, a shield-like plate located near the tick’s head, often retains its original color and pattern even when the tick’s body changes. Unfed ticks are flat and oval-shaped, resembling a small seed, and their natural hues provide camouflage within their natural habitats, like leaf litter and tall grasses. Appearance can vary depending on the tick’s life stage and sex.
Key Reasons for a Tick’s White Appearance
One of the most common reasons a tick might appear significantly lighter or white is due to engorgement. As a tick feeds on blood, its body swells dramatically, expanding several times its original size, which stretches the tick’s exoskeleton and causes its normally dark exterior to become translucent or pale, revealing the color of the blood meal inside. The color change during engorgement can vary from grayish, bluish, or silver to a fleshy pink, purple, or dark red, depending on the species and the amount of blood consumed; for example, an engorged deer tick might turn reddish-brown, while an engorged American dog tick can become gray or grayish-blue. Another reason a tick might appear white or lighter is due to desiccation or death, where a dead or dried-out tick can sometimes take on a silvery-white, shriveled, or chalky appearance as its internal fluids evaporate, causing the exoskeleton to change in texture and color. A dead tick’s legs may also be curled up and stiff, unlike a live tick whose legs are typically extended and might show movement, and while a dead tick cannot transmit diseases, it can still cause skin irritation or infection if its mouthparts remain embedded.
Naturally Occurring Pale Tick Species
While most ticks are typically dark, some species naturally exhibit lighter coloration or distinct white markings. The Lone Star tick, for instance, is reddish-brown, but the adult female is identifiable by a single silver-white spot on her back, which gives the tick its name. The adult female American dog tick has an off-white patterned scutum, contrasting with its dark brown body. Soft ticks, belonging to a different family than the more commonly encountered hard ticks, generally have a leathery body that lacks a hard scutum, appearing more oblong or “bean-like” with mouthparts not visible from above; these ticks, such as those that transmit tick-borne relapsing fever, can sometimes have lighter, more muted tones. Unfed nymphs of some species, like the blacklegged tick, are also notably small and can be grey-brown in color.
What to Do After Finding a Tick
If a tick is found attached to the skin, prompt and proper removal is important. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure, avoiding twisting or jerking, which can cause the tick’s mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. If mouthparts remain, the body will naturally push them out as the skin heals. After removal, clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer. Dispose of the live tick by placing it in a sealed container, wrapping it tightly in tape, putting it in alcohol, or flushing it down the toilet. Avoid crushing the tick with your fingers. Monitor the bite area and your health for several weeks following a tick bite. A small, red bump at the bite site is common, but watch for signs of illness such as a rash (especially a bull’s-eye rash), fever, fatigue, headaches, or muscle and joint aches. If any of these symptoms develop, contact a healthcare provider and inform them about the tick bite.