Stuck shed/necrosis?

[LizardLurkin]

Recently, while handling my chameleon, I noticed a couple of his back toes appeared unusual. It looks like the nail bed is particularly stretched out, and I can only think it must be retained shed constricting the toe that has hardened over time. I'm sad it alluded my view for so long to get to this point.
I stopped handling him as much to reduce stress, but now think I should do weekly check ins to prevent occurrences like this in the future.

What concerns me is that, on the affected middle toe on one foot, and the pinky toe on another, I see a darker grey/somewhat black color, and I fear its become necrotic. He's always retained shed on his ribs, but never problem areas like toes until now, I guess.
What are you guys' thoughts? I apologize for the blurry photos, but my phone really did not want to focus on such small details.
I feel a bit anxious to try and remove it at risk of hurting him...

 

[MissSkittles]

Personally, I would carefully try to remove the shed. If it’s constricting and blocking his circulation, it needs to come off to give the toe any chance. You also want to check the toe and see if it is indeed all black or not. It might be fine.
Do you have any silver sulfadiazine by chance? Plain Neosporin will do as well. If there is dark tissue, put a small dab on it and keep a close eye on it. If it truly is fully necrotic to the point of losing his toe tip, a vet visit is most definitely needed. Of course, if you aren’t comfortable trying to remove the shed, a vet visit would be needed.
There’s nothing to feel badly about. I would say that a chameleon getting correct husbandry has very low risks for shedding problems. Now that you know that you need to check him, you will.

 

[LizardLurkin]

I don't have silver sulfadiazine but i do have veterinary betadine on hand (you dilute it with water to a tea-like color before use) and plain neosporin.

What makes me nervous is that I see so much conflicting information. A lot say to never touch shed, wait until the next shed, things like that. Some say to try to dampen stuck shed, others say that it should be dry only and that any moisture poses infection and fungal risks. I feel like since it's so tough and hard, that logically it makes sense to try to soften it with warm-ish water.

I did get some off of that second pic, it looked much like the middle toe in the first pic initially.
Thanks for your response, skittles. I feel so bad. Admittedly the back feet are pretty easy to miss, but I'll be more alert (and I can't complain about holding him a bit more often.)

 

[MissSkittles]

Chameleons are dry shedders, so wetting it will make it stick more. You could gently use a fingernail or even a tong to push up the edge to try to remove it.
One of my leopard geckos is ‘special’ and every time he sheds, I have to help. They are moist shedders so it’s a bit different. But I use my smallest tongs to get his gloves and socks off.

 

[LizardLurkin]

Thank you very much for the concise information. I'll see if I can gently loosen the constricting shed and apply the antibiotic to him. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Rozárka]

Chameleons are dry shedders, so wetting it will make it stick more.

Not to contradict what you’re saying but Bill Strand advises moistened cotton swab and updates his current understanding of humidity in shedding
https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-medical-shedding/

 

[MissSkittles]

Not to contradict what you’re saying but Bill Strand advises moistened cotton swab and updates his current understanding of humidity in shedding
https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-medical-shedding/

Please do contradict. I hadn’t read that, so thank you.

 

[nightanole]

I tend to try to split it underneath along the footpad using tweezers. As long as you get a split, its not going to constrict. That give you all the time in the world to wait and see. Best case it falls off by next shed. Worse case things start growing in between the stuck shed and the live skin.

My cheat code for problem shedders is crush up a human B complex pill and powder the feeders with it. You need to do this when they start turning grey, not when they are shedding.

 

[LizardLurkin]

I managed to get a fair amount of shed off the toe pictured in the first photo. Thankfully, the dark spot there was some manner of dirt stuck in there So it's not necrotic! I gave him a break for now after messing with him for so long.
The toe pictured on the second photo I'm beginning to wonder if that toe claw is perhaps shorter. I removed a fair amount of shed, but it's getting hard to discern it between the flesh at this point.
I'll keep an eye on these toes in the coming days.

@nightanole I never heard of that but I'll keep that in mind. Do you forego the calcium on that day when you notice they're grey?