help ! red spt on belly!

[rareelca]

Hello i have an 8 week old boy hedgehog named basil . Today i found a new red spot on his belly . im wondering if i was wearing something that he had an allergic reaction to . i have had him since birth and none of his other litter mates have this . i have him separated ( because he is the only male) . i cannot afford to take him to the vet . i have spent a lot taking his mamma because i didn’t know she was pregnant when i got her . Any help would be appreciated .he is eating , drinking and exploring as he normally does . I use yesterdays post litter and viva paper towels in his cage. Other than things on my person I don’t know what he cold of come in contact with that would cause this.

[rareelca]

Here is a picture.

[rareelca]

A closer picture

[wushu1987]

It's kind of hard to see the pic on my phone because I can't blow it up. Is it on his skin? Looks like just his fur on my phone. Maybe an oatmeal bath would help? It looks pretty localized so maybe a bath would help get whatever irritant off if that's what it is. Hope it clears up soon.

[rareelca]

It is on his skin I bathed him and cleaned out his cage today . His belly is the only affected area . The first dot speed out and now there is another red spot . I will continue to keep an eye on him .

[wushu1987]

Much better pics. poor guy. Definitely looks like some sort of dermatitis from something he's either allergic to or if he has a habit of laying in his poop/pee or getting covered in it while he is running on his wheel. I know you said vet isn't an option but if it doesn't get better or starts to get worse I would really try to figure out a way to take him in. He's still eating and drinking ok? What kind of bedding do you use?

[wushu1987]

Ooops missed the part where you mentioned the bedding lol.. does he poop/pee in one area? I really like using the fleece bedding throughout because it absorbs pretty well and you can change it easily. Just have to make sure you wash it separate and use hypoallergic soap. It does cost more initially to get all the fleece especially if you want enough so you're not doing laundry every day

[rareelca]

I took out his bedding and replaced it with paper towels. I've used paper towls since the all of them were born .the redness still seems to be spreading but overall is less red with just one night of taking out all other bedding. Is there anyway to help calm the red skin now that it seems to be on the mend ?

[nikki]

Is he in a cage by himself or with any other hedgehogs?

[rareelca]

He is in a cage all by himself . The red spot is only red for a day then it clears up but there is always a new red spot . Because the red spots are healing and travilingI so much do you think it could be a Mite problem?