Poison exposure question

[ridgebax1]

I had a call today regarding a cham that had been sprayed with a household cleaner. I recommended the shower process to get the cleaner off the cham and to thoroughly rinse its cage and plants. I was wondering though if chameleons readily absorb substances through their skin or do the scales offer a measure of protection for them?

 

[crazychamzoo]

From what I understand the skin will take in water for it's own moisture and hydration, but it will not "absorb" moisture into the body for hydrating the chameleons body. So Im assuming this would act much in the same way with the absorption of the cleaner and the chameleon shouldn't experience a poising without ingestion, probable more of a skin irritation instead.

 

[ridgebax1]

Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

[Devokid]

I do not believe that they absorb very much or very quickly through their skin. Certainly nothing like amphibians. I agree that a good shower is a great idea, but I;m not sure what else you can do.