Reptile & Amphibian Forums

here are some pictures. any advice ASIDE from taking it to the vet, because I don't know if i can afford that.

I was doing a search for it on google and i can find much on it. it's only affecting one of its toes. I keep the cage very clean and i always pick up after them every morning... within 1-2 hours after they poop. this is V. tristis, I keep them on calcium sand, dry, with a water dish and 40 - 50 percent humidity.
basking area at 115 F and cooler side at 80 F
toe

Hi, it`s difficult to say for sure, I don`t see much swelling, although you don`t say how long the toe`s been that way? You can try wiping with a little iodine, diluted to maybe 50 to 1 (50parts water to one iodine), although if you wait too long, and it`s more serious, you putting the lizard at great risk from a serious infection.
I`m NOT trying to criticise you, but if you can`t afford a vet, I have to ask why you keep an animal that you cannot properly care for at ALL times?
I think the basking spot temp could be a little higher; 50c (122f), and the humidity seems a little low, raise it to approx 60%.
Why are you using calci-sand as a substrate, much better to use either a sand/soil mix, or even Orchid bark or similar, much better for humidity, and these varanids are mainly arborial, though they will often hunt on the ground.