Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I use chlorhexidine diacetate(generic Nolvosan) to clean iguana enclosures and cage furniture, but have had reservations about using it in my dragon enclosure.
I've been giving it consideration due to the fact that whenever I handle my dragons and their claws are in direct contact with my skin, that the area becomes raised, red and itchy - almost like an allergic reaction.

My plan is to thoroughly clean the enclosure and then spray the indoor/outdoor turf carpet I use for floor covering in the viv. I may swab their feet as well and see if this has any impact on my 'dragon rash'.

I would have to look at the label to see what I am using. Nolvosan sounds right. I know it is fairly expensive, thick, and dark green. I have had no problems with using it for cleaning tanks, water pans and food dishes. In fact, I like using it better than Clorox. It doesn't give me a headache like Clorox does and it doesn't burn my skin. I don't have to let it sit for 24 hours for the chlorine to evaporate or use vinegar to neutralize it.

As for the rash, I have the same problem. I don’t know about swabbing their feet though. It probably wouldn’t hurt but if you have substrate and branches I am sure they would just wind up covered with bacteria again anyway.

What I do is mix a little peroxide and anti-bacterial soap in my palm and lather it up real good everywhere I have been scratched. I let it foam a few seconds and rinse. This seems to prevent the rash if I do this immediately after handling the little scratchy devils. Most of them don’t even scratch me unless I’m giving meds but in the event they do this really has done the trick for me.
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

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Signature file edited. [phw 9/13/04]

Never had the itchy skin problem, but chlorohexadrine is safe for cleaning, we use it to prevent mouth rot.
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April
1.0 Mali Uromastyx- Embrodak,
0.1 Saharan Uromastyx- Scheherazade
2.1 Mountain Horned Dragon- Beren, Luthien and Tinuviel
3.0.5 Hermit Crabs- Violet, Polly, Jennifer, Trogdor, Hedwig, Penelope and Sinistra
1.1 Five lined Skink- Leela and Fry
1.0 Bettas-Nuala

You use it on the dragon or for cleaning food & water dishes?
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

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Signature file edited. [phw 9/13/04]

Directly in the mouth. I figured if it's safe enough to put in their mouths, it's safe to use and rinse off of something.
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April
1.0 Mali Uromastyx- Embrodak,
0.1 Saharan Uromastyx- Scheherazade
2.1 Mountain Horned Dragon- Beren, Luthien and Tinuviel
3.0.5 Hermit Crabs- Violet, Polly, Jennifer, Trogdor, Hedwig, Penelope and Sinistra
1.1 Five lined Skink- Leela and Fry
1.0 Bettas-Nuala

I have heard of using it as a disinfectant when treating mouth rot, but have never used it in that way.