What should I do? Tetanus

[RootsAndMarigolds]

My non-vaccinated son stepped on what appears to be a rusty rake behind the neighbors shed yesterday, about 12 hrs ago. It bled a good deal, but we didnt force it, just soaked it and then cleaned it a bit, bandaged it. It still appears kind of dirty, but is on a super sensitive part of his foot so we cant really dig around in there. Of course there was a lady there who insisted tetanus was absolutely neccasary and i thought, yea it must be a good idea. Now i'm really wondering, i dont want to take a chance though from what i read its a slim one, that tetanus will actually happen. It seems it can be pretty bad if it does.
What should i do???? Help!

[maxwill129]

If it bled it means it got oxygen and tetnus can't live where there is oxygen, so I wouldn't worry about it. Just keep it clean so it won't get infected!

[tammyswanson]

From what I have read, getting a tetanus shot after the fact is useless anyway. I would watch for signs of infection, since it's on the foot like that. I hope he is okay, I stepped on a roofing nail once and it stuck in the bottom of my foot, I just pulled it out and got it to bleed and never got any tetanus either. As long as he doesn't have a compromised immune system, he should be okay.

[RootsAndMarigolds]

we're foregoing the vaccine

i am worried a bit, just the thought of my little guy getting so sick of course. Im just trying to trust my gut here, and while i'm not 100% clear on what it's saying these days, i'ts always said NO to vaccines. So, I thank you for your replies, and i keep researching. I am also giving praise and thanks for his health and fabulous immune system. From what i read, Vit C can help and even with the vacc. the chances of getting it are about the same. I'm just reading many different things about how long it takes symptoms to appear. Im holding my breath..

[mamadelbosque]

If its an actual risk for tetanus you'd want the TIG (tetanus immunoglobin), NOT the vaccine - which would be utterly worthless after exposure... which is why giving everyone and there brother a tetanus shot for every little cut/puncure would is utterly ridiculous and a HUGE waste of money.

[honeybunch2k8]

If you didn't want the TIG, perhaps a sodium ascorbate would be helpful.

[Symbi]

I am so so sorry you are dealing with this.
I can only tell you what I think I would do in this situation. The injury concerns me, particularly because you say it still appears a bit dirty and you are not able to really get in there and take a close look or clean it maybe as well as you would like because of the foot sensitivity. I really think I would go get the TIG in this circumstance. From what I've read the earlier after the injury the better effectiveness. I would probably also begin the tetanus (or DT) series, because this is the one vaccine I am on the fence about anyway, and one injury like this is enough for me and I'd want my child to have the complete series for the future.
That said, I am no expert and do not want to tell you what you should do. It's a very personal choice. I'm just telling you what I think I would be most comfortable doing if I were in your shoes.
I wish you the best and hope your little one is better soon.

[Gitti]

Don't hold your breath - it's not good for you

Tetanus in kids has always been extremely rare. And if a wound bled, even a few drops, the blood brought oxygen to the area and there is no way tetanus spores can evolve into the bacteria.

Just let him soak in the tub for a longer time and it will clean the wound. If it looks infected apply raw honey to it and bandage it. Leave it open to the air at night.

All will be fine within a few days.

[RootsAndMarigolds]

Breathing now- thanks for the reminder! I am so happy that his wound is healing up very quickly and nicely- like its no big deal. Kids are so amazing. Im giving him vit C and just keeping an eye on him.

Thanks for clearing up info on the TIG- it is those details we need to know if we do end up in the ER. You cant just trust blindly. I am feeling better after a few days of researching and reading input here. Its been a while that i've been chilling out with no crisis' and no need to make any major decisions- that is the first baby kind of brought about all that hard core decision making and that was 8+ yrs ago. In order to stay awake at the wheel, i did borrow a vaccine expose' from the library.

While I was there (two days ago) walking in my Uggs, i noticed something dragging on the carpet beneath my boot, so i pull over and look, and here is this big old ugly totally rusty gross nail, just stuck in my boot sole at an angle as to avoid my foot. I mean how often does that happen? Sometimes the universe just puts messages out there so clearly. What message would you interpret from this?

Thanks everybody for your help, knowledge and experience!

[oursonend]

Tetanus is a bacteria that lives underground, away from oxygen. It's a common myth that it's spread by rusty objects. It is spread by dirt. The liklihood that there was tetanus bacteria in the dirt in your yard is slim.

I once took a neighbour to outpatients to stich up his foot (stepped on a broken beer bottle wearing crocs) and the doctor recommended a tetanus shot. After a brief exchange about risks and how the bacteria is spread, the doc said that he has seen a bad case of tetanus and it's not pretty. I asked where it was contracted and he said in a village in Africa where he was volunteering. He had not heard of any cases happening around here.

Long story short, I wouldn't bother. It's more likely that he would get a garden variety infection, in which case you could use polysporin or something similar on it.

[columbusmomma]

Tetanus is extremely rare in North American soil. I wouldn't worry.

[snuffles]

Originally Posted by columbusmomma

Tetanus is extremely rare in North American soil. I wouldn't worry.

I have never heard this. Do you have some more information on this?

[Gitti]

Originally Posted by columbusmomma

Tetanus is extremely rare in North American soil.

I don't think that's true. The tetanus spores are not a disease that we've eradicated. Our soil is not cleansed or sterilized. And tetanus spores are everywhere, just like dander, pollin, or dust.

The spores are not a problem. They have to find a place that it totally void of oxygen, such as horse manure, or some animal that got attacked, or a deep puncture wound in an old person who is diabetic and won't bleed, or a severe crush wound due to an accident...then those spores enter and start to develop into the bacteria they are meant to be. This bacteria produces a side product and if this is happening in a human body, well, we do react to this side product. This is what we call tetanus poison.

But there are a lot of buts and it is very seldom that a condition is so perfect that a few harmless tetanus spores can do us harm.

I never worry about tetanus.

The same hold true for botulism. But since there is no "botulism vaccine" no one scares the poop out of us and so we are not afraid of it. But it is exactly the same story. Any wound could just as likely wind up getting a botulism infection. But again, it is very rare.

[anewmama]

I would keep cleaning and keep cleaning. Soaking and what not if you are not going to go for the TIG. I am not sure about honey. Although I see it is helpful for healing wounds, I question the wisdom of covering a wound and creating an oxygen free environment when you are particularly concerned about tetanus (versus other types of bacterial infection).