Michelle My Bell Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 I have never had a tetanus shot before. The nail was not rusty and was in my wall just minutes before I stepped on it. Can I wait till the morning to go get the shot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted August 29, 2014 Author Share Posted August 29, 2014 Any nurses know? :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 If you're at risk for tetanus, you need to get not a tetanus shot, but the tetanus immunoglobulin shot. The vaccine shot won't do any good if you've already been exposed to tetanus. That being said, tetanus is very rare in the US, and from what I've read, it's really only a concern if the nail was buried in something like horse manure. If it were in your wall, I probably wouldn't get a shot, but to each their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 The problem with puncture wounds isn't tetanus but blood poisoning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted August 29, 2014 Author Share Posted August 29, 2014 If you're at risk for tetanus, you need to get not a tetanus shot, but the tetanus immunoglobulin shot. The vaccine shot won't do any good if you've already been exposed to tetanus. That being said, tetanus is very rare in the US, and from what I've read, it's really only a concern if the nail was buried in something like horse manure. If it were in your wall, I probably wouldn't get a shot, but to each their own. Oh really? I had no idea. So would you just sit on it and keep an eye out for symptoms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted August 29, 2014 Author Share Posted August 29, 2014 The problem with puncture wounds isn't tetanus but blood poisoning. Blood poisoning????? What am I supposed to do about that? I washed it immediately in hydrogen peroxide. Any other thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiana Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Frankly, I'd still ask the doctor if you should have the shot, just because even though the chances of tetanus are minute, the treatment really sucks. But you can definitely wait until the morning. ETA: http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/puncture-wound-treatment -- notice that unless there's lots of bleeding, they basically say to clean the wound and watch it for infection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Blood poisoning????? What am I supposed to do about that? I washed it immediately in hydrogen peroxide. Any other thoughts? How deep is it? I would see a Dr in the AM. Puncture wounds are supposed to be treated within 24 hours. Keep the nail to show Dr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 I did something very similar once and was told to keep it scrupulously clean and watch for any kind of infection. How far into your foot did it go? Did it bleed a lot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted August 29, 2014 Author Share Posted August 29, 2014 It probably went in about 1/2 inch. It didn't bleed a lot. It went through a flip flop first and I flung my foot as soon as I felt it and it pulled out. It only bled a little. It is sore now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 If it went through your flip flop you MUST see a Dr in the AM at the latest. I would call an ask-a-nurse line if you have one in your area. I would get a tetanus immuno shot. No telling what can be on the bottom of someone's shoe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 It probably went in about 1/2 inch. Truthfully, I'm no doctor, but I don't think it's anything to worry about. If you're worried, can you call an urgent care place or your local ER and ask what they recommend? Or maybe your health insurance company has a nurse hotline or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypatia. Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 I would all and ask, if you have that option available with your doctor or local ER. If it didn't bleed much and is a deep puncture, then if it were me I would be heading in for a tetanus immune globulin shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cera Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 I would probably get the shot if you have never had a tetanus shot and it went through a shoe (who knows what was on the shoe). I would wait until tomorrow though and ask my regular doc. For tonight I would soak in warm water and epsom salts to draw out any dirt. Unfortunately it will probably hurt quite a bit more before it gets better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 wait till morning. That's what I did/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IdahoHomeschooler Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 My favorite home design blogger scratched herself on some wire fencing and ended up in the ICU with tetanus. I can't remember the time frame from the scratch to ICU, but it was pretty quick. I would advise, as an RN, to not wait if you can help it. From personal experience, the puncture wound on my foot hurt like a sonofa, and I had a hard time sleeping. I got some good drugs when I went to the doc-in-a-box ;), in addition to a tetanus booster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatechip Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 I'd just call the Dr. in the morning. This happened to me on a Sunday morning while doing chores. I scrubbed it out with hydrogen peroxide. Then I went to church and everything. By the end of the service my foot was sooooo swollen. We called and left a message at the Dr. on Sunday. On Monday I went in and they gave me a booster shot; nothing ever came of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moxie Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Don't use peroxide. It can kill the skin cells around the puncture and make it take longer to heal. So I've heard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Don't use peroxide. It can kill the skin cells around the puncture and make it take longer to heal. So I've heard. As I understand it, initially cleaning the wound with peroxide is fine, but repeatedly cleaning it with peroxide (like when you clean the wound two or three times a day,) is when you can have the problems you describe. I'm pretty sure it's the repeated exposure that causes the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted August 29, 2014 Author Share Posted August 29, 2014 Ok I'm going to call my doc in the morning. Thanks everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Oh really? I had no idea. So would you just sit on it and keep an eye out for symptoms? Generally, I would, but since you then mentioned that it went through your shoe and didn't bleed a lot, well, yeah, I might be more inclined to go see a doctor and get the immunoglobulin shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Ok I'm going to call my doc in the morning. Thanks everyone. I think that's a good decision. I hope you won't need a shot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevergiveup Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 I had a dog that got tetanus..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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