Given enough of them, they can literally chew through the skin in large enough areas to create large scabs or crusty infections. If not caught in time, or not treated properly, the infection may spread to the blood and organs and result in the iguana's death. See Vesicular Dermatitis below for similar conditions. Vesicular Dermatitis Vesicular dermatitis, sometimes called blister disease,scale rot, or necrotizing dermatitis, is commonly caused by housing reptiles in moist, dirty environments. As the animal is forced to lie on damp substrate saturated with rotting food or feces and urates, the skin becomes infected.
Watery blisters are the first sign.
In small reptiles, or reptiles already severely weakened from illness, environmental or psychological stresses, infection may be rapid, and rapidly fatal. The skin may rot away from the initial blister, leaving the body more susceptible to bacterial and fungal invasion and thermal burns. As with many illnesses and conditions, treatment must be two-fold. All bottom heat should be suspended during this period, with the necessary thermal gradients being provided by overhead radiant heat sources. If the blisters do not resolve in a few days, or if they are large blisters or are spread out over a wide area, the iguana should be seen by a vet immediately.