I have a 2010 spider ball python and his scales look like the top layer fell off. you can still see the outline of the scale on his body; however, because the scale is missing it is discolored. he had a spot like this and i thought it was due to a poor shed, but after this shed there are more patches with missing scales.

He is housed in a 20gal long glass tank with an under the tank heater. he has a log hide by the heat and a decorative hide on the cooler side. there is a large water dish and a climbing branch too. the humidity level is roughly 40-55%, but i raised it when he went into shed. (it came off in one piece the past two times).

i fed him rat pups, but i switched to a larger meal (rat crawler) and then he went into shed. i thought after this shed the scales would improve, but they have not. i read online that it may be a bacterial or fungal infection, and can treat it with athletes foot cream (but that sounds crazy to me) please help me. below are pictures of his scales...

i took these pictures the day after he shed.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/191/49454082.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/850/97926823.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/37/32040935.jpg/