Rash After Holding Ball Python?

I recently got my Ball Python and I handle her at least once or twice a day. After about five days after I noticed a rash on my hand. I thought it was something I might have contracted something but then I thought "What if it was my BP?". I've checked her thoroughly for mites but I haven't seen any. Can some snakes give you rashes? If so, is it the snake or something they've contracted?

Are you hand sanitizing or washing with a soap you normally don’t use before/after handling your noodle?

In my experience, I would say reaction to hand sanitizing or “over washing”.




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I have been washing my hand before and after I handle her. I haven't used hand sanitizer as much. Is that stronger then washing your hands?

What substrate are you using in the cage? Ball pythons themselves are not really known to be allergens but the material they live on might be something you are sensitive to. This might be an option if the soap you use to wash your hands is not the cause (as in you have used that soap for years without issue)

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Originally Posted by SDA

What substrate are you using in the cage? Ball pythons themselves are not really known to be allergens but the material they live on might be something you are sensitive to. This might be an option if the soap you use to wash your hands is not the cause (as in you have used that soap for years without issue)

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I was using Aspen bedding for a few days but it didn't hold the humidity very well, so I switched to the, Zoo Med Cypress Mulch.

So does that cypress mulch give you a rash? Hold it in your hand for a while and see if you have the same effect. Essentially rule out the mulch before ruling out the snake. If the mulch does give you a rash switch to coconut fiber.

Okay, I'll try that.

Side note: how recently did you get your BP?

With the extreme safety of using substrates, so much so snakes can eat it, I find it hard to imagine any substrate could cause a rash.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Side note: how recently did you get your BP?

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December 27