Ticks and Skin: Do They Burrow Under Your Skin?

Ticks do not burrow under human skin, but they can attach to the skin's surface and embed their head with tiny barbs to remain anchored while they feed on blood. These tiny parasitic arachnids have mouthparts adapted for piercing skin and drawing blood as their primary source of nourishment. Some tick species can embed their head into the skin but leave their body exposed on the surface. Nevertheless, they do not truly tunnel or burrow beneath the skin like certain insects might. If left attached and feeding for an extended time, some larger tick species or engorged females may form a noticeable bump on the skin surrounding their embedded mouthparts.