Ticks are a nuisance when they invade the human body. They prefer the damp and dark areas, like arm pits and groins. Dr. Franz Gáspár, from Budapest, Hungary, added an interesting case to the medical record.

A 52-year old male complained about a swelling on his penis that grew from the size of a pinhead to the size of a hazelnut. Upon inspection, a heavily swollen tick (Ixodes ricinus) was discovered halfway the length of his penis, and was removed without complication. The patient admitted he enjoyed sunbathing in swimming suit. All this was not noteworthy, dr Gáspár admitted, but as the patient confessed he had regular (5-6 days interval) untroubled intercourse during two months with the swollen tick firmly attached to his member, he decided to publish:

“Gut entwickelter Holzbock am Glied – ungestörter Geslechtsverkehr [Well-developed tick on member – undisturbed intercourse]” in Acta Dermato-Venereologica 15 (1934): 523-524

Compiled in close collaboration with dr Erwin J.O. Kompanje.

BONUS: video ‘A Tick burrowed under head of penis (short clip)‘

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