Vitamin E Oil

[brohanten]

Hello!

First time posting here so excuse me if my format is strange.

I have read that Senegal Chameleons can become stressed from being handled to much. Not just from the handling but from the traces of oil on human skin that is transferred over when being held. I regularly use Vitamin E oil on my hands for the moisturizing effects it has. I don't really think an overabundance of Vitamin E on my hands would be a problem to my new Senegal, but I just wanted to be sure.

I checked around the forums and I didn't see anything related to this specifically. Maybe someone can offer some insight?

Thanks in advance :3

 

[dlegare]

I wouldn't expect vitamin e oil to pose much of a problem however I would be cautious just in case.

Senigals are very easily stressed and I would limit handling to emergencies only.

 

[Lovereps]

Welcome to the forum!

As Legare said, it's truly best for your cham if you limit the handling time to when it is actually necessary--such as when doing a thorough cage cleaning or a trip to the vet.
Just as stressed people tend to become sick much more easily, stressed chams are much more susceptible to illness.

As for the vitamin E oil, I don't know if letting him walk onto a hand that has some pure vitamin E residue would be likely to do anything harmful.
The only possibilities for trouble that I could imagine is if there is enough oil on your hands to be transferred to his branches and plants as it rubs off his feet and tail.
The possible result being that bugs might tread on it, either transferring too much vitamin E to your cham over time or passing some rancid vitamin E to him, if the oil has gone rancid.

Now, I don't know the actual likelihood of it happening, only that these are things that could possibly happen.
How strong a possibility depends on how much oil is transferred, how often the cage is cleaned, etc.
It may be a worse idea if it's a handcream with other ingredients.

It would also be wise to not touch feeder insects unless your hands are washed clean.

I always wash my hands both before and after handling a chameleon--for the cham's health and mine.
He doesn't need germs from my hands and I don't need his.

After that, I apply moisturizer to my hands.

 

[Olimpia]

Welcome to the forum!

Chameleon skin is really not very permeable, like ours is, so they would not absorb anything through their skin from our hands. And there is nothing that states that our hand oils harm chameleons in any way, this is the second or third time I've heard this myth in the last month and I'm not sure where it is coming from.

The danger in handling is just that, the handling. With chameleons stress is the factor to worry about, so just limit handling to when necessary for now, unless he seems like eventually he's comfortable enough to reach out for you to get a ride around on your shoulder or the like. With these guys, patience and respect go a long way.

 

[nightanole]

I put vit e or olive oil on problem toes for years of various lizards for problem shed areas. Then again ive never had a senegal.

 

[leedragon]

I think this is a jobb for chris

 

[brohanten]

Thanks for all the responses!

I am glad I asked because I apparently had been handling my new cham far too much. I'll be sure to avoid it and just enjoy him from a distance, unless it's absolutely necessary.

Thanks for the warm welcome as well! I appreciate it