This a UVB burn?

[GrilledCheese]

Guys, is this a uvb burn?

My 4 mo veiled chameleon has been using a T5HO 10.0UVB 15W light after the vet told me to change it from my old 5.0UVB 2 weeks ago. Don’t think it was caused by basking light since he rarely hangs out under it.

Went to the vet earlier this week (we got parasite meds) and he had no concerns about his head but I think it looks bad. Am I just overthinking it or should I switch him back to the 5.0 UVB light again? Should I find the neosporin?

 

[BleuSaphir]

How far is the distance to the branches to the uvb fixture?

 

[MissSkittles]

Some vets do advise 10.0 (Arcadia 12%) uvb, but we want to stay with the 5.0 or 6%. Make sure there is a distance of 8-9” between basking lights and basking branch. That does look like a burn, but I can’t be 100% certain.

 

[BleuSaphir]

It hard to make a judgement with rough lighting with a flooring of dark marking colors matching with the chameleon.

 

[GrilledCheese]

How far is the distance to the branches to the uvb fixture?

Originally the distance was 8 inches but he kept cage climbing right under the UVB light so I put a branch that gives him 4-6 inches away from the light which is higher than I’d want him but he’ll climb an inch or 2 right under if I take it out.
I’ve put the light on another corner for now so hopefully he’ll stay in his current favorite branch which is a good distance where he’ll still get light. Was gonna switch it back to my 5.0 light but seems it burned out while I wasn’t using it 🫩

 

[Carlton]

Some vets do advise 10.0 (Arcadia 12%) uvb, but we want to stay with the 5.0 or 6%. Make sure there is a distance of 8-9” between basking lights and basking branch. That does look like a burn, but I can’t be 100% certain.

Can't be certain either, but IME with thermal burns, the part of the cham that's closest to the radiation source tends to be the first to show damage. That would be the crest of his casque and their dorsal spines. They look fine. I agree something seems to be going on with that discolored skin area but what is ???. It wouldn't hurt to dab some Silvadene or equivalent on the discolored area and see what happens. That will protect the skin from infection and promote healing if it is some sort of burn. A vet may be able to give you a free sample tube. Does that spot take longer to shed? It often does, as it is a fairly rigid area that doesn't flex much. Parts of the skin that move more tend to shed more easily. I'd also be wondering about something fungal.

 

[MissSkittles]

Originally the distance was 8 inches but he kept cage climbing right under the UVB light so I put a branch that gives him 4-6 inches away from the light which is higher than I’d want him but he’ll climb an inch or 2 right under if I take it out.
I’ve put the light on another corner for now so hopefully he’ll stay in his current favorite branch which is a good distance where he’ll still get light. Was gonna switch it back to my 5.0 light but seems it burned out while I wasn’t using it 🫩

Some questions about your uvb…what brand bulb have you been using? How old is/was the bulb? Is your uv next to your basking bulb? If so, what have your basking temps been?
The only brands uvb that I would trust are Arcadia and ReptiSun. While I’ve only tested one other cheaper brand, the result was horrible and far below what I get from an Arcadia after one year of use. Uvb output fades over time, and Arcadia bulbs need to be changed every year and ReptiSun is good for 6 months…unless you have a Solarmeter with which to test the output.
He may have been climbing higher to get warmer.
The distance of 8-9” between T5 with 5.0 or 6% uvb and basking is because that is the distance for the ideal uvb level. If you are using a stronger bulb (10.0 or 12%), then the distance needs to be greater of about 10-11”.