Tick infestation simulating a traumatized, papillomatous nevus

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Parasitology
• Medical Entomology

Background:

• Ticks are known vectors of various diseases.
• Tick bites can cause local skin reactions.

Observation:

• A patient presented with a five-week history of severe pain in a lesion clinically resembling a traumatized papillomatous nevus.
• The lesion was located on the patient's left inner thigh.

Findings:

• Biopsy revealed the presence of hard tick body parts within the lesion.
• This case demonstrates a blood-engorged tick's ability to mimic a traumatized or infarcting skin growth.
• This is the second reported instance of a persistent tick bite nodule after complete surgical removal of tick components.

Implications:

• Tick bites can present as atypical skin lesions, challenging clinical diagnosis.
• Awareness of this presentation is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of tick-related dermatological conditions.
• Further research into tick bite nodule formation and persistence is warranted.