What does a tick bump look like

What Does a Tick Bite Look Like? These Pictures Can Help You Identify One

Spending time outdoors raises your risk of getting an insect bite, but, of course, there are a lot of critters out there. If youve spent time in a wooded or brushy area lately, its understandable to wonder if that newly-acquired mark on your skin could be a tick bite. Butwhat does a tick bite look like?

Its not always easy to tell. Tick and other insect bites can look similar, says Griffin Dill, Ph.D., coordinator of the Cooperative Extension: Tick Lab at The University of Maine. Without finding a tick attached and feeding, its hard to differentiate one bite site from another, he says.

Meet the Experts: Griffin Dill, Ph.D., coordinator of the Cooperative Extension: Tick Lab at The University of Maine; Gary Goldenberg, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City; Thomas Mather, Ph.D., director of the University of Rhode Islands Center for Vector-Borne Disease and Tick Encounter Resource Center; Ife J. Rodney, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics; Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.

But treating and preventing these bites can help keep nasty tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease out of your futureso knowing how to identify a bite is crucial. Here, the signs and symptoms to watch out for, plus tick bite pictures to refer to when you suspect the blood-sucking critter has made its way onto your skin.

An attached tick that has not grown bigger from feeding yet.

The signs of a tick bite actually vary from person to person, since everyones immune system reacts differently to them, explains Thomas Mather, Ph.D., director of the University of Rhode Islands Center for Vector-Borne Disease and Tick Encounter Resource Center. While someone may have a small, red bump after the tick detaches, others may develop an area of redness and itchiness.

Your best bet is to find the tick while its still on your skin. Ticks are designed to linger when they attach and bite, says Mather. The mouth of a tick contains a bunch of backward-pointing barbs that they use to stay put, meaning they are designed to lock and load, as Mather puts it. The biters also secrete a cement-like substance around their mouths to keep them stuck even if they were to be, say, absentmindedly scratched at.

Ticks can bite you anywhere. However, although they can and do attach to any part of the body, there are certain body parts they more commonly move toward, like the hairline, or in tucked-away places, like the armpits, groin, and behind knees, says Dill. Thats because ticks have heat sensors that allow them to seek out warmer, moist places.

Depending on where the tick is in its life cyclelarva (baby, six legs), nymph (eight legs), or adult stage (full-sized critter)it can stick around anywhere from three to six days, Mather says. The longer theyre feeding, the bigger they getand the greater the risk of transmitting disease.

A tick bite right after a tick was pulled from the skin, with some still stuck inside.

CREDIT: KitAy / Flickr

If youve been previously bitten, theres a greater chance you will have an allergic reaction to the tick saliva within 20 to 40 hours of the bite, says Mather. After a bite, the area may appear as a small red spot that doesnt expand to be larger than a dime. However, more severe reactions can occur, and rashes can develop. Because tick bite signs vary wildly and can mimic the appearance of other insects, even tick experts cant always tell one red mark from another.

Obviously, ticks arent the only bugs that can bite you and leave a mark. Tick bites are difficult to detect compared to mosquito bites since the reaction from a bite can vary from person to person, says Ife J. Rodney, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics.

Tick bites may have a tiny, deep red circle with a lighter red patch around the edges, Dr. Rodney says. And, she points out, ticks can remain on the skin and site, making it easy to tell if you have a tick bite.

But, if the bug has left the premises, Dr. Rodney says that these are signs youre dealing with a mosquito bite:

• Its itchy
• It looks red or white
• It gets puffy
• It has a raised bump or a dark spot that looks like a bruise

Another thing to keep in mind, per Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital: Mosquitoes tend to bite more than once or bite in groups. Mosquito bites often are multiple, while a tick bite usually is a single lesion, he says.

But, if its not a mosquito bite, could it be a spider bite? Its important to point this out, per Gary Goldenberg, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City: Spider bites are rare. Meaning, if youve been bitten by something, odds are higher that it was a mosquito or tick vs. a spider.

That said, a spider bite has a certain look. Spider bites are more distinct and leave two equally spaced dots, Dr. Rodney says. These bites also tend to be more round and have some redness and irritation. And, since there are different types of spiders out there, the bites can look slightly different.

Generally, tick bites do not hurt. You might feel a bitebut you may have no idea when it happens either. Both are possible. Early in the process of biting, ticks inject a pain mediator via their saliva, says Mather. Because its more likely that subsequent bites will elicit a reaction, the first bite can often go unnoticed, he says.

However, many people do find tick bites to itchy. If you continue to itch at a certain spot on your body, Mather encourages you to take a look to see what youre scratching at, since its one common way people find ticks.

Youve probably heard of the classic bullseye rash, which is one of the most distinct symptoms of Lyme disease. This circular rash is dark in the center and expands outward, like a bullseye, appearing about a week after the bite on any part of the body. It doesnt always look like that, though.

You may have a crusty spot with a splotch of redness around it that gets bigger, bluish rashes, or a red, oval plaque, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Catch is, this rash only appears 70 to 80% of the time, says the CDC. Remember that not all ticks carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease; there are other types of rashes associated with other tick-borne illnesses. For instance, Rocky Mountain spotted fever can cause a red, speckled rash that appears first on wrists and ankles.

Childs right hand and wrist displaying the characteristic spotted rash of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Its also important to keep in mind that rashes can be tough to distinguish from one another. The CDC has a whole page on rashes that resemble the bullseye associated with Lyme, but arent. These include large, itchy rashes, the ringworm fungus, and hives. If youre concerned about any rash or are worried you may have been bitten by a tick (or know you have), call your doctor. In certain circumstances, they can prescribe a course of preventative antibiotics if Lyme disease is suspected or you live in a state with a high risk of Lyme.

First, dont panic. If you find one attached to your skin, remove the tick as quickly as possible using a set of fine-tipped tweezers. Grab the tick as closely to the surface of your skin as possible, and pull upward with steady, even pressure. If mouth-parts are left in the skin, try your best to remove them, but if not just let your skin heal normally, says the CDC.

Dispose of the tick in a sealed bag or container, wrapped up tightly in tape, or by flushing it down the toilet, says the CDC. Never crush it with your fingers, and of course, in the weeks to follow you should keep an eye out for any lingering symptoms, like a rash.

To treat your tick bite properly, make sure to clean the bite area with soap and water or alcohol. If the bite becomes further inflamed or crusted, applying an antibiotic cream may be helpful toward lowering the risk of infection and tamping down lingering inflammation, says Dr. Goldenberg. Or, if your bite becomes itchy, try an anti-itch cream to reduce the urge to scratch and further irritate the area.

The healing process depends on a few factors, including the extent of the bite and whether the area is infected, Dr. Rodney says. That said, it can take a while. Bites can take as long as 30 days to heal, Dr. Rodney says.

Just like other bug bites, tick bites can become infected. Dr. Rodney recommends being on the lookout for the following signs of infection:

• Chills and fever
• Aches and pains
• Fatigue
• Rash

Keep tabs on the bite area after a tick has bitten you. If the area of the bite becomes red or swollen for days or you develop flu-like symptoms, this may be a sign of tick-related disease such as Lyme disease, Dr. Rodney says. You should call your doctor or visit the nearest emergency room. And, if you develop signs of an infection, youll also want to call your doctor for help.

Ticks can be tiny (sometimes no bigger than a poppy seed!) and they can be easily missed, so its important to do a thorough body check after youve spent time outdoors. Be sure to look carefully under your arms, around your ears, inside your belly button, behind your knees, between your legs, and in your hair. Checking yourself, kids, and pets can go a long way in minimizing contact with these critters, says Dill.

And as always, stock up on the best tick repellents before your next outdoor adventure.

Jessica Migala is a health writer specializing in general wellness, fitness, nutrition, and skincare, with work published in Womens Health, Glamour, Health, Mens Health, and more. She is based in the Chicago suburbs and is a mom to two little boys and rambunctious rescue pup.

Madeleine, Preventions assistant editor, has a history with health writing from her experience as an editorial assistant at WebMD, and from her personal research at university. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscienceand she helps strategize for success across Preventions social media platforms.

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11 FAQ About Tick Bites on Dogs

Fleas get their share of attention and awareness as pesky nuisances that can plague dogs, but ticks are often overlooked.

Did you know that ticks are not even insects? Ticks are actually arachnids, similar to scorpions, spiders and mitesthey have four pairs of legs as adults and no antennae. Adult insects, by comparison, have three pairs of legs and one pair of antennae.

Unlike biting insects, ticks dont bite and fly away; they remain on their hosts, feeding for days before they crawl off. Heres what you need to know about ticks and their bites.

1. What does a tick bite on a dog look like?

A tick bite on a dog looks like a small red bump, similar to a mosquitobite. These bumps often appear at the site of atick biteortickremoval and resolve themselves over a few days.

2. Can a tick bite become infected?

Yes, just like any skin wound, tick bites can become infected. Tick bites arent typically itchy, so if you find your pup scratching at an old tick bite wound, it is a sign that an infection may have developed. Other signs include worsening, or continued, redness and weeping or oozing around the wound.

Tick bite wounds can be cleaned gently with over-the-counter chlorhexidine solution. An over-the-counter triple antibiotic ointment or spray can be applied after cleaning. If it worsens or doesn't show signs of initial improvement in 1-2 days, seek care from your veterinarian.

If you suspect that your dogs tick bite is infected, contact your veterinarian immediately.

3. Can ticks bite without attaching?

No, a tick must attach itself to feed. Ticks will also take several days to complete a feeding.

4. Can tick eggs live on a dog?

In theory, yes, tick eggs can live on dogs. In actuality, however, female ticks lay their eggs on the ground. Most dogs get ticks when individual tick adults or nymphs crawl onto the animal.

5. Can ticks jump?

Ticks do not fly or jump in any life stage. Thats right, ticks dont actually jump. To find a host, many tick species use a strategy called questing, where they identify well-used paths and wait on the tips of grasses and shrubs for a host to pass so they can latch on.

Theyll use their third and fourth pairs of legs to hold onto leaves or grass, and will then try to grab onto a passing host using their first pair of legs.

6. What are the different types of ticks?

There are two groups of ticks, sometimes called the hard ticks and soft ticks. Hard ticks have a hard shield just behind the mouthparts (sometimes unknowingly called the head). Hard ticks that have not fed are shaped like a flat seed. Soft ticks do not have the hard shield, and they are shaped like a large raisin.

There are over 15 species of ticks in North America, but your dog is most at risk for four of these:

1. American dog tick or wood tick (Dermacentor variabilis)

2. Lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum)

3. Deer tick or black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis)

4. Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)

7. How do you prevent tick bites on dogs?

To prevent tick bites in tick-infested areas, take the following precautions:

• When in the woods, walk on cleared trails. Avoid walking through tall grass and low brush in wooded areas. Also avoid walking under low-lying vines and branches.

• Thoroughly check pets for ticks after spending time in tick-infested areas. Remember to check all areas, including between the toes and inside the ears. If one tick is found, check for more.

• Insect repellants containing DEET are highly toxic to dogs (and cats); make sure to NEVER use them!

• Put all pets in your household on a tick preventative. There are many different tick preventativessome are over-the-counter, while others are prescription. Your veterinarian can help you choose the right one.

8. How do you check for ticks on dogs?

The best way to check your dog for ticks is to brush your fingers through your dogs fur, applying enough pressure to feel any small bumps. If you feel a bump, pull the fur apart to identify it.

An embedded tick will vary in size, from as tiny as a pinhead to as big as a dime. They are usually black, grey or brown. Depending on the size and location of the tick, its legs may also be visible.

9. How do you remove a tick from a dog?

If youve discovered a tick on your dog, it should be removed immediately to avoid a skin reaction and to reduce the likelihood of developing a tick-borne infectious disease. Diseases can be transmitted to your dog in as quickly as a few hours.

Follow these tips to safely remove a tick from a dog:

1. Grasp the head of the tick with a pair of flat or curved forceps or tweezers. They should be held as close to the skin of your dog as possible. Avoid squeezing the tick!

2. Using steady, gentle pressure, pull the head of the tick away from the skin without twisting.

3. The site of the bite should be cleaned with soap and water.

You can save the tick in a container with a tight-fitting lid if you would like to have it identified by your veterinarian.

10. Can you drown or squish a tick?

Its not necessary to drown a tick. If you decide to squish it, make sure to wear gloves or protect yourself. If theyve already fed, they will be messy and bloody.

11. Should you burn a tick to get it to release?

Definitely not. Burning a tick as a way to get it to release from its host is a myth. Burning a tick will irritate it and cause it to release more toxins and diseases that it may be carrying into your pets body. It is somewhat similar to causing an adrenaline release in usthe tick will release everything that it has inside of them.

By: Laci Schaible, DVM, CVJ

Featured Image: iStock.com/Jess Wealleans