HELP!! Scales COMPLETELY missing. Wound or infection??

[Danielle2129]

I need some help asap! About 2 or 3 weeks ago I noticed a rough patch on the top of my ball pythons head (he's about 10 months old). I thought maybe it was from a bad shed so I didn't do anything about it. But now that he is shedding again, the rough patch came off but the scale is completely missing! All that was there was something that looks like a wound, it's red and pink (no scale!). He ate just fine last week but I did not feed him this week because he was getting ready to shed. He shows no abnormal behavior and the rest of his shed is coming off just fine. The would appears to be healing or "closing up" but I just want to make sure it's nothing to worry about. The pic shows the missing scale but I couldn't get a close enough pic to show the "wound." Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[The Serpent Merchant]

Sorry I was looking at the wrong thing. It certainly doesn't look life threatening. As the poster below said if you feed live he could have gotten bitten. Also could have been self inflicted (rubbed it raw?) or maybe a localized infection. I would keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't get any worse or appears to bother him.

[zeion97]

do you feed him live? IF so he could have gotten a small nip.

[Danielle2129]

I do not feed him live mice. I have taken a couple more photos in hopes of a clearer response.

[Danielle2129]

Also, he does like to try and escape his tank. So I figured it might have been a burn from the heating lamp or a scrape from the tank? I'm not sure. I appreciate the responses! I'm going to keep a very close eye on it and if it gets any worse he'll be seeing the vet!

[Daybreaker]

Looks like he rubbed it while shedding, or beginning to shed (and continued to rub the same spot for the last two sheds). Keep an eye on it and a vet visit may be in order if it swells up or becomes an open wound.

[Zombie]

Just a rub, my pastel female did the same thing. I believe it to be due to lack of enough humidity and them trying extra hard to get their shed off. It will heal just fine, just watch it to make sure it doesnt get infected. If you are really worried it could get infected use a little triple antibiotic once daily (make sure it has no pain killer in it). Don't worry, just try and raise humidity next shed . Good luck...

[devildog_dk]

Just looks like a rub, although some pics from the side so we can see the wound better would help.