Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i feel kind of dumb, because i know i've read posts about this before, but i can't find them with the search engine. anyways- i'm concerned, as two of my geckos have shedding issues. one is an adult female (otherwise healthy). she was kept on calci-sand until recently, i switched over to paper towel. it seems that she has two spots along the dorsal side of her tail where tiny bits of skin appear to have stuck during her last shed. they also look as though they may have some sand grains stuck alongside (it's kind of hard to describe/tell, but these areas appear dry-ish, unlike the rest of her tail). she has access to a large humid hide, which she likes. my other gecko having problems is a juvenile female, who is extremely high-strung and nervous (but otherwise healthy). every time i move her from her cage to the holding cage, just to clean it, i'm afraid she'll pop her tail, she's that hand-shy. she has a small patch just above her 'nose.' she also has a humid hide. i know there is a product that others have mentioned using (in place of water, or vegetable oil), that helps loosen skin. does anyone know what this is? i am woried about trying to apply anything, other than very briefly, to the tail of the adult gecko, as i fear she might drop her tail. and i have the same worries about my high-strung little gecko. though i think i could probably pick the piece off her head easily by hand, i think she may freak out if i try. in the interrim, i plan on sticking them in my holding cage (not together), and just misting it & making it very humid, for a while every day. but i'd like it if someone here could advise me as to the name of that product. i was thinking i could probably get away with applying it quickly & gently, with the end of a q-tip. i could also use any other suggestions. thank you!
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marla
keeper of: axolotls, catfish, ferrets, leopard geckoes, oriental fire-bellied toads, and sugar gliders

Alright.. I have never had this problem, but here is what you do.. A girl on here said that this worked great for her..

You run a pure, hot shower.. and keep the door of the bathroom shut--- so that it becomes foggy and you can feel the humidity. Then run the water in the tub, still very hot(Put the plug in..).. After that place 2 bricks or a large stone in the shallow, but hot water.. place a DEEP yet small sized storage/rubbermaid container on top of them(the bricks/stone slab). This should be on the bricks/stone that sticks OUT of the shallow water and put your leo in the container. Make sure you've kept that door shut to keep in all of the humidity and leave her in there for I believe.. a half hour to an hour.. Just stay with her for most of it and check on her. This supposively works great. The skin should come off no problem. As for the olive oil stuff.. only use VERY little if you must use it at all.. Hardly any to a dab on the cotton swab. Then after you have peeled the skin, rinse that area very gently to remove excess oil. Maybe others can lend you more pointers on this topic or correct me in anyway! Take Care!

-Britney
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1.1 Leos(Ron and Raine), 2.1 Kitty Cats(Bubba, Angelo and Cookie) and 1.1 Rouen Ducks(Buddy and M.J.).

I have a similar gecko with this problem. I just put him in a deli cup with a wet papertowel for a while. Maybe an hour, you probably don't want to leave a leo in there TOO long. Then I work the skin off with a q-tip. Check the toes!!!!
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?