I stood on a rusty nail?

Question

I was out riding bikes with my friends and we stopped off at an abandoned house. Shortly after I stood on a rusty nail connected to a plank of wood. I was wearing shoes but it pierced through them and my socks. It may have gone through the skin. I took a look at the bottom of my foot where it pierced and it was bleeding. I rode home and showed my dad and he said that it should be fine. I took a bath and washed the piercing. It doesn't hurt but I want to know whether I should get a tetanus shot.

Answer 1

Yes if you haven't had a booster within the last 10 years then you have to get one. If you have then you don't have to.

Answer 2

I'm a nurse

get a tetanus shot before it's too late

It looks fine now but problems will occur later on  

Answer 3

Yes, you should get a tetanus shot.

In the meantime, keep the area clean with warm soapy water and a small piece of clean gauze. If you get red streaks on your foot or leg, or get a temperature, get to an ER.

But yes, do see your doctor for the tetanus shot.

Answer 4

If you have not had a tetanus shot in the last 5 years, you will need to get a booster.  If you don't, you risk getting sick and it is a very nasty and potentially fatal disease.

Other than that, a little neosporin is all you need, keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't become infected.

Answer 5

Here is information I copied from this website. Hope this helps.

What is tetanus?

Tetanus is a serious, sometimes fatal, disease of the central nervous system that is caused by an infection of a wound with spores of the bacterium, Clostridium tetani. The spores live in the soil. When spores enter the body through a wound, they can multiply and produce a toxin that affects the nerves that control muscle activity.

Symptoms

The most common symptom is stiffness of the jaw, commonly known as lockjaw. This makes it difficult to open the mouth.

Other symptoms include stiffness of abdominal and back muscles and contraction (spasms) of facial muscles.

Sometimes a fast pulse, slight fever, and severe sweating may occur.

Eventually painful muscle spasms develop. If they affect the chest and airways, the person can suffocate.

Prevention

Tetanus can be prevented with a vaccine. Children who are less than 7 years of age can receive DTaP vaccine - a combined vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). Teenagers and adults should receive booster doses of Td vaccine, a combined vaccine against tetanus and diphtheria every 10 years.

What should I do if I get a puncture injury?

Minor wounds: Clean the wound thoroughly with soap and warm water. Leave the wound uncovered, if possible.

Severe injuries: - See a health care provider for evaluation and treatment (stitches, antibiotics, or a Td booster shot).

Pay attention to any signs of infection such as redness or warmth of the wound, swelling, tenderness, or fever. If signs of infection develop, consult your health care provider.

If I am injured, how do I know if I need a tetanus shot?

For a minor injury - Get a tetanus shot if your last tetanus shot was over 10 years ago.

For a complicated or contaminated wound (including puncture wounds) - Get a tetanus shot if your last tetanus shot was over 5 years ago.

Where can I get a tetanus shot?

Most health care providers give tetanus shots.

Your local health department. Click here for a list of King County Immunization Clinics.

Hospital emergency rooms

Answer 6

can i be in your will since i answered the question

also, try to get a pine casket

those must be comfortable

try to get a  historic or old cemetary so they don't ever dig you up

jkjjkjkj

yeah you should check in with your doctor

most likely get a shot

you don;t want it to get infected

cos lockjaw

and then theres possiblilty of seriiousness  

Answer 7

How ironic. I stood on a rusty s***w yesterday. It went right through my shoe and sock and i couldn't get it out so i had to walk around limping all yesterday because of it. I reckon that you should be ok without getting a shot, but if you start to feel and symptoms then tell your dad. ^^

Answer 8

If you havn't had one in the last 5 yrs it may be a good idea

Answer 9

The safe answer is: when was the last tetanus shot?  I think if it has been more than a few years, I would recommend getting a booster.  If it bled a bit, it will probably be okay, though.  Watch for tightening of the muscles in your foot, as this is the beginning of tetanus, or lockjaw, as it used to be called.  My dad had full-blown tetanus and got better after a trip to the doctor, so you should be fine either way.

Answer 10

yeah, if you don't you could get lock-jaw, and not be able to eat... and then you slowly die. :/ go to the ER. they will give you a quick shot and it will be done.

Answer 11

Yes you shold get a tetanus shot unless your imneations are already up to date,if you are a child/in your early teens and have had all of your recomended shots you should be okey if you are an adult and havent had one in the last 5 years you shoukd get it done really soon.

try not to worry too much,but too be on the safe side call your doctor.

Answer 12

Yes I recommend getting a tetanus shot. Because i have had a rusty  staple in my finger and it was reallly safe to get a tetanus shot

Answer 13

Its a good idea to go get one so that you prevent all that comes along with that infection.  

Answer 14

Just clean-up the nail - put it in oil - and in no time it'll be as good as new !!!!!!

As regards the T shot - not sure the nail would survive it !!!!!!!!!

Answer 15

yer i think u should because i did that be for and it was infected.

a few days after.

Answer 16

If the nail wasn't in the dirt then it's probably okay.

If you haven't had a tetanus booster in the last ten years then it might save you from unspeakable misery to go ahead and get boosted.  The fact that you have the kind of lifestyle that involves abandoned houses and bike rides means that tetanus shots are important- even if not this time.  

Answer 17

Yes you need a tetanus shot.  Dont delay it go get it.

Answer 18

Depends on how old you are. If you're still in school, and got all your vaccines to get into school (hopefully where you live is civilized) within the past year. If yes, you have received those vaccines and shots within the past year, you are fine. Not only that, but being young helps out as well.

You should be fine unless you are a hypochondriac.