2nd degree burn & tetanus

[mammabunny]

I just burned my inner arm while getting a baking sheet out of the oven. It started form a blister about an inch long and half cm wide. I went to the clinic to get antibiotic to put on it, to keep infection away. While I was there, they wanted to give me a tetanus shot. I declined and had to sign a waver, b.c it's their policy to give a tetanus shot after a burn (if the patient hasn't had a booster in 10yrs). Anyway, I still don't understand how a burn can cause tetanus? Is it if the blister breaks open and tetanus would get inside? Can anyone offer me the explanation, risks, etc. Thanks

[Fyrestorm]

Actually, burns and crush injuries are decent breeding grounds for tetanus...however...if they were actually worried about an infection they would have offered you TIG, the vaccine would not have made any difference at all for a current injury.

[mammabunny]

okay, well now I'm worried.

[Fyrestorm]

I wouldn't be unless you are elderly and/or diabetic. As I said, if they were really concerned about a tetanus infection, they would have offered you the immunglobulin, not the DTaP or DT vaccine.

[Gitti]

Originally Posted by mammabunny

okay, well now I'm worried.

Since they only offered you the Tetanus shot, there seems to be no concern of tetanus. Otherwise they would have suggested the TIG blood vaccine.

[Gitti]

Read this thread, you'll understand better after that -

http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1002281