Shedding/Skin problems for my dwarf retic?

Hi there. Advice needed :D

My 3 yr old female Dwarf Retic never had problems shedding; she'd always slough off her old skin in one piece. Her last shed was roughly 3 weeks ago and she is beginning to "get darker than usual" but isn't exactly in "shed phase".

Last night however, I noticed tiny "scale flakes" on her water bowl; at first I though they were mites but when I examined further, it's indeed "scale flakes" (yes, they're THAT tiny).

I gave her a good dip in lukewarm water last night for half an hour and when I gently rubbed her continously, more of the "scale flakes" came off.

I always change her substrate when I notice she'd make a mess and I occasionally bathe her in soap (usually, the ones used for washing your face) and water as I let her crawl on my bed from time to time.

Any of you guys experienced the same?

Thanks

PS: I live in Manila, where retics are considered to be "native fauna".

Id stop the soap routine, Id put money on that being a possible culprit.

Could very well be. Soap sucking out natural oils, especially when she is getting close to shed...

My bet is on soap too. You know if you wash your hands too much they can really dry out/crack? If soap dries out skin, what its made for, it would not surprise me that it dries out scales too.

come to think of it....I have 4 pythons but that retic is the only one who gets a bath more than 2x a month; my rock python occasionally gets a bath if he's swimming in his water tub filled with poop (eeeew!). So far, it's only that retic who's showing this problem...doh!

Thanks guys! Guess I can't "pamper" my pythons that way.

I hope I'm not pushing it...but I guess baby shampoo is also out of the question right? hehehe...yes....that's how much I "pamper" that retic...she's the only one I allow to slither in my bed/couch/sofa...

I vote for water only baths.

ayt. thanks. will switch that retic to "water only". :)

I dont know if I am having a problem yet since my ball python hasn't shed yet but his eye's are that erie white color. My question is this I mist my cage to achieve the 60-65% humidity range that I hear is recomended however I have quite a bit of water on the bottom of my cage is that ok or should I try to soak some of it up with a towel? I want my python to have a successful shed with no blisters or injuries. I never had a snake before so I am totaly green at all this. Any advise or tips for me anyone?

You do not want standing water in the bottom of the tank so its probably best to soak it up.

We have had a few hot days here in Pa lately upper 80's so that is giving me some assistance. I put my hand in the cage when i got home from work yesterday which is where I posted this and the cage was fairly warm and damp not dripping wet and I managed to get the cage humidity at about 60-65% with more frequent and much lighter misting sessions.