What do ticks look like on humans?

Ticks on humans can vary in appearance depending on their species, stage of development, and whether they have fed. In general, ticks are small, oval-shaped arachnids with eight legs. They have a head with a mouthpart that they use to pierce the skin and feed on blood. The body of a tick is usually brown, black, or reddish in color, and it may have a white or pale pattern on its back.

When a tick first attaches to a human, it is often quite small and difficult to see. It may look like a small, dark speck on the skin. As the tick feeds, its body swells and becomes more visible. A fully engorged tick can be up to 1/4 inch in size and may be dark red or black in color.

Ticks can be found anywhere on the body, but they are most commonly found in areas with thin skin, such as the scalp, neck, armpits, and groin. They can also be found on clothing and pets.

If you find a tick on your skin, it is important to remove it as soon as possible to reduce the risk of infection. To remove a tick, use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull the tick straight out without twisting or crushing it. After you have removed the tick, clean the area with soap and water.

If you develop any symptoms of a tick-borne illness, such as fever, rash, or headache, see your doctor immediately.