Hi! My name is Lyz, and my husband and i have had our Mali for two years and some change now. His name is Shlomo, the original Hebrew  for Solomon (we thought it was a good lizard-y name.)

I have a question about shedding habits. 

He's been in a more- or less continuous shed since we got him. And his tail really concerns me. Is it usual for the old spike to drop off and the new ones to grow up out of the tail to replace them? or should the spike already be hard once the shed comes off? if any one has pictures and or advice, that would put a lot of my fears to rest. 

we were told to try soaking his tail for five minutes or so in lukewarm water, but i think that might open the door for a skin disease. the other alternative i am aware of is putting NeoSporin on it, but that's really just for tail-rot. 

Thanks in advance for your help!