Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm sure someone out there has had to deal with this problem.

My blood shed about a week and a half ago just fine, except for a piece that extends from in front of her eyes down around the front of her snout. It was really hard to tell if this was old shed or not at first, because it's so thin. Her eyes are nice and clear, so I think both eye caps came off okay.

Well, now one of her nostrils seems to be blocked with dried-on skin. One is open. I'm pretty sure it's old shed that needs to come off, but it's totally dried to clear again. It was never really discolored in the first place.

How do I get it off without totally freaking her out? Any advice for softening it back up so it comes off? Put her in a warm, damp pillow case? I've tried putting her in her water dish, but she just shoots right out of that.

Thanks much for any help!

I would just get a damp washrag and gently 'wipe' the shed off, it may take a few tries, but it will come off. I don't know the temperament of your blood, but if you let her kind of move around a little bit and just follow her rather than hold her down, it may be helpful. Mine will all let you mess with their faces as long as they aren't too restrained.

Hey,
Sounds like it's been adhered to her for a bit of time. I would just throw a wet towel in with her into her cage, and allow her to sit on it under it etc., and it should work its self off. If not, the extra and added humidity will allow you to remove it manually in a couple of hours.
Angel
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Have you hugged your Blood today?

Baby oil has always worked for me with the real stubborn skin that wouldnt come off.

Thanks for all the tips, everybody!

Tried the damp rag this afternoon, but it's hard to wipe her snout without her constantly jerking away. That didn't seem to make the old skin any looser.

The old skin is totally invisible. There's no haziness at all, like you'd see in a pre-shed situation.

If it weren't for the fact that one nostril is plugged and totally dry, I wouldn't even know the old skin was there. And, there's no sign of bubbling or puss, so I really think it's just skin..not RI. The skin was more obvious a week ago, but I thought she was going to get it off herself. Didn't happen.

I'll try the damp rag and see if that works, then the oil.

Thanks again.

If you let her soak in a sweater box or plastic shoe box, based on her size, you can also add a bit of dish detergent to the water as a softening agent. It works too! They do dip their heads in the water and that should help loosen things up.
Angel
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Have you hugged your Blood today?