Beardie Skin Issue

Question
I've had my Bearded Dragon over a year. he is happy, normal in activity and a healthy eater.  For a few weeks now he has this spot on his back that looks whitish yellow.  Best way to describe it....kind of like dried puss...yuck.  What could this be? What should I do?

Answer
Hi Felicia,
Is it possible he touched a heat source and got burned?  Also, he may have scratched himself on something, or even his own claws? Once you figure out if it could be a burn or a scratch, you can apply some neosporin ointment to the area...Silvadene is a better choice, but is prescription only usually.  If, after a few days it does not start to look better, or gets worse, then he needs to be checked by a vet so that possibly an oral antibiotic can be prescribed.
It can also be a fungus..which is best treated by a vet as the fungus needs to be identified so proper medication can be used.
You can also pour some diluted Betadine(color of a weak tea) over the area once or twice before applying the ointment.
As I said, if it gets worse or does not show improvement in a day or two, its important to get him to a vet as reptiles can get severe infections that tend to go internally rather quickly. To find a vet that can treat reptiles:
http://www.herpvetconnection.com
http://www.arav.org/ECOMARAV/timssnet/amm/tnt_mdsearch.cfm
http://www.anapsid.org/vets/

More in-depth care info can be found at:
http://www.bio..miami.edu/ktosney/file/BDcare.html
http://www.sundialreptile.com/care%20sheet--bearded%20dragon.htm
http://www.blackninjakitty.com/herps/dragons