DS got a cut at the barn today. Worry about tetanus????

[BarnMomma]

Hi All

DS (unvaxed)fell today while playing with a shovel at the barn and got a very shalllow cut near his eye.

To be perfectly honest, we decided not to vax due to toxins and the potential side effects long term. I was FINE with this decision until I became a regular on this forum and now my head is swimming with doubts at times. Tetanus became something I was worried about but still, after some more research we decided to skip it.

Well now DS(19mo) has a cut on his face that he received while playing with a muck shovel. It was very shallow and I put tea tree oil (full strength) on it three times since. Also, DS is very healthy and still breastfeeds and receives coconut oil daily along with a multi.

Should we be worried? Call his doc or not sweat it? Our ped is very open minded but has pushed for the DtAp selectively becasue we're horse folks.

What do you alll think? Any similar stories? Any other folks out there who have LO's around the barn?

[rlenk]

I'm of no help but I have an unvaxed 3 y.o. who is in the barn all the time (we have a dairy barn). I quiver on my decision not to vax all the time mainly due to concerns of tetanus as cows are super dirty animals and poop covers every surface of the barn. I'm desperately trying to decide if I should start the series this summer. He thus far hasn't hurt himself badly but I know it WILL happen.

However, DH hurts himself DAILY at the barn sometimes with deep lacerations for which he does absolutely no wound care until it starts oozing pus and I MAKE him rinse with peroxide and put antiobiotic ointment on it. I know he hasn't had a tetanus shot since college and still no tetanus. He did have the primary series as a child though.

[alegna]

I wouldn't even worry about tetanus from that.

Go back 200 years. Nearly everyone lived around animals. Nearly everyone got cut, scraped, stabbed, etc in or near a barn. Research how INCREDIBLY rare tetanus was even then.

-Angela

[eli's mama]

I'll second what Angela said.

[Marnica]

I agree. I wouldn't vax for the type of wound you described either.

[gardenmommy]

My DC play at the barn all the time. They are not vaxxed for tetanus or anything else. They get cut, and when they do, we just make sure it bleeds really well. Tetanus needs oxygen to survive, so if it bleeds, tetanus can't survive. I don't use peroxide, as an EMT told me that isn't recommended anymore. She told me to use plain water or plain water with a pinch of salt. I usually dress the wound with calendula cream or neosporin and some sort of bandage. I only cover it for a couple of days (unless it is a really major gash, or it is in a bad place like on the foot), long enough for it to scab over well enough to keep out the dirt.

[BarnMomma]

Thanks for the replies.

The cut was shallow and only bled enough to show me where it was. Like, it bled enough to make a red line.

I have kept tree tea oil on it. And coconut oil.

I'm still feeling uneasy about it.

[emma1325]

Originally Posted by gardenmommy

My DC play at the barn all the time. They are not vaxxed for tetanus or anything else. They get cut, and when they do, we just make sure it bleeds really well. Tetanus needs oxygen to survive, so if it bleeds, tetanus can't survive. I don't use peroxide, as an EMT told me that isn't recommended anymore. She told me to use plain water or plain water with a pinch of salt. I usually dress the wound with calendula cream or neosporin and some sort of bandage. I only cover it for a couple of days (unless it is a really major gash, or it is in a bad place like on the foot), long enough for it to scab over well enough to keep out the dirt.

What's wrong with peroxide? Just curious...

[ZoeyZoo]

Originally Posted by emma1325

What's wrong with peroxide? Just curious...

From what I understand it slows the healing process down. I would still use it initially especially if there is any tetanus concerns because of the oxygen component. You can use other products for wound care afterward. I still think it is one of the best anti septics.

[gardenmommy]

Apparently, it is too harsh on tissues and disrupts the healing process.


To the OP, what exactly are you feeling uneasy about? If the wound bled, it isn't a puncture wound, and you treated it with something antibacterial, it is likely fine.

[medusaatemydog]

if it bleeds it's not a likely candidate for tetenus...

but if i get a wound that doesn't bleed alot.... i soak it alot in sea salt or eucalyptus or echinacea.... i do this for my animals too...
i don't see the need to go get a shot will tons of aluminum... i like the integrity of my nervous system as is...

something like tetenus i personally don't see as a risk or even a consideration unless the person has severe diabetes or circulatory and immune problems..

[mkmoro311]

#Hydrocyanic acid. [Hydr-ac]
This is a remedy homoeopathic to tetanus