Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Have recently adopted a large 4 1/2 foot female iguana. She has thick patches of unshed skin on both her sides. I can not peel off because it is almost like a scab, raw skin underneath. Have been bathing daily to no avail. Any other ideas? What about epsom salt in her bath? Or some sort of ointment rubbed in?
Any help would be appreciated.

Pump up the humidity in her cage Big time. Also keep up the daily baths. Let her soak an hour of two if She'll stay in the tub. Give it time. Has she been to the vet?
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2.0 Iguanas, 2.4 Beardies, 1.2.1 Saharan/Nigerian Uromastyx, 0.0.2 Leos, 0.0.1 African Fat Tail, 1.0 Columbian Rainbow Boa, 0.0.1 Fla Garter Snake, 0.1 eastern garter, 0.0.1 Banded California King Snake (M.I.A.), 0.0.1 Corn Snake, 0.0.3 Fire Belly Toads, 1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle, 0.0.1 African Sideneck, 2 Horses (soon to be three {Baby next May!!!}), 4 cats, 1 dog, and I'm still not done.....

Mist her several times a day in her cage on top of keeping her cage humid
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2.0 Iguanas, 2.4 Beardies, 1.2.1 Saharan/Nigerian Uromastyx, 0.0.2 Leos, 0.0.1 African Fat Tail, 1.0 Columbian Rainbow Boa, 0.0.1 Fla Garter Snake, 0.1 eastern garter, 0.0.1 Banded California King Snake (M.I.A.), 0.0.1 Corn Snake, 0.0.3 Fire Belly Toads, 1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle, 0.0.1 African Sideneck, 2 Horses (soon to be three {Baby next May!!!}), 4 cats, 1 dog, and I'm still not done.....

In addition to Heather's excellent advice, I just want to mention that even with boosted humidity and more water eaten by making the food wet, you might have to wait until the next shed comes off in a more normal manner. That will take the old adhering shed with it.

In the meantime, you can try soaking her, pat her dry, and rub in moisturizing cream over the affected areas. The retained shed, of itself, is not medically signifigant, so you don't have to forcefully tear it off.

Don't put anything in her bathing water, since she may well drink from the tub.

Roger

Hi there,
Are you sure that the areas are not thermal burns rather than unshed skin? Thermal burns will leave raw skin underneath and you need to be careful of infection. Bathe in Betadine solution.

n/p