Retained Shed over the Eyes

[crickest]

Hi all - I need some help with retained shed. Ember has two spots of shed over her eyes that are not loosening or coming free. She shed the rest of her head two weeks ago. I've been treating with aloe and neosporin (not at the same time) hoping it would help loosen the shed. She hasn't shed her legs and she's already getting a 'stache shed, so I know her head will be graying out soon. She's five months old and her basking spot ranges from 113 - 118 based on the time of day (hotter in the afternoon). I have seen her bulging her eyes in an attempt to free the scales, but nothing seems to work.

Here are two close ups:

There is no edge to the scales - no way to get a nail under and help loosen them. I've used a soft toothbrush, wet and dry, with no luck. Any suggestions on what else I can try?

 

[Jasper's Mom]

Hmmm... that doesn't look like retained shed to me. The colour is not right, and the edges are not defined. It almost looks like some pigment. If you think she's going to shed her head again soon, I would just wait and see. It's not in a location that's going to cut off circulation like a tail or a toe. Keep giving her regular baths and see what happens when she sheds that area again.

 

[beardieluv]

Just a note: Your temps are too high. They should be between 100-110 degrees f. For adults 95-100. I hope you figure out what it is!

 

[crickest]

Actually, Ember prefers her temps higher. She isn't as happy when the temps are lower than 113. The cool side of her viv (which is bigger than a 40 gal breeder) is usually between 78 and 81. She moves from the hot zone to the cool zone during the day, and has different basking spots under the basking light that are cooler if she wants to be cooler. She does spend a couple of hours, a couple times a day, right up at that 115 - 118 temp (sometimes with her mouth open and her eyes half closed.) She does like it hot.

Now Spark on the other hand, likes his between 105 and 108. Trust me, I pay attention to where they are basking, how much time they are spending where, and what the fluctuations in temp are for both cool side and hot side.

Jaspers mom - there wasn't any discoloration prior to her last shed. I know when she shed her head because I was using the toothbrush on her and those two areas did not come free. I was using the toothbrush because she had problems with bite marks on her face when I first got her and the first two sheds were problematic. Those areas are no longer blemished and shed just fine this last time, except now she has these two spots. If the issue with retained shed is circulation problems, then I have no problem waiting to see what happens, if there are other issues with retained shed, then obviously, I'm still concerned.

 

[beardieluv]

Sorry, i didn't mean to come off as ignorant. Prove me wrong then, she's a true desert baby 8)
Hm, the only other thing that I know retained shed can cause is infection but I think that is related to the constriction. That is weird.

 

[crickest]

Its okay. . . I just didn't want you to think I wasn't paying attention. . .