2-yr-old stepped on something (x-posted)

[aricha]

Someone suggested I cross-post:

2-yr-old stepped on something

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My 2-yr-old stepped on something at the park tonight... not totally sure what it was... thought it was a splinter, but looked more like metal once I pulled it out. Probably should have held onto it, but it's too late now. It was on the ground, so dirt/rust is definitely a possibility. She was on a "green" at a local shopping center running around.

So I am trying not to freak out about it... I'm generally fairly laid back about injuries. It doesn't seem to be bothering her (she actually didn't want to be carried and so was walking fine right afterward). We put neosporin and a band-aid on it when we got home, but I know for a puncture wound that might not do much good as far as any germs that got inside.

She's unvaccinated... our pediatrician is relatively non-vax friendly, but it still a traditional doctor, so I'm not confident that I will get accurate advice when it comes to what I should do... I'm fairly confident they would recommend a tetnus shot "just in case," and am not sure how much balance any info they gave me would be to try to decide if that is necessary... I'm REALLY not interested in giving her a vaccination unless the benefits truly outweigh the risks.

Any advice or info?? This is the only place I could think to ask... I'm 39 1/2 weeks pregnant, so my critical-thinking and decision-making skills are not really all that sharp right now...

Thanks in advance.

[Marnica]

Sorry you are worried!

How deep was the puncture wound? Did it bleed?

If you cleaned it out properly with lots of water and soap and some hydrogen peroxide, it should be fine.

Tetanus thrives in anaerobic conditions. Bleeding is a sign of oxegen being present in the wound. I would be careful about keeping it covered up all the time with a bandaid. Clean it out, put some neosporin on it and let it be open to the air (maybe while she is at home and sleeping) and cover it when he is up and around as she would be walking on it I assume so you'd want to keep the dirt out.

[Gitti]

Kids have never been in danger of tetanus even before the vaccine was on the market. It was extremely rare even in grown ups.

Tetanus is a disease of old people who have very poor blood supply, diabetes, are on chemo drugs... where the tissue can die and permit bacteria to enter into the injured area.

I would never worry in a child. (Heck, I don't even worry if I get a cut, puncture wound, etc. and I am 62 yo. and have NEVER had a tetanus shot.)

[aricha]

Originally Posted by Gitti

Kids have never been in danger of tetanus even before the vaccine was on the market. It was extremely rare even in grown ups.

Tetanus is a disease of old people who have very poor blood supply, diabetes, are on chemo drugs... where the tissue can die and permit bacteria to enter into the injured area.

I would never worry in a child. (Heck, I don't even worry if I get a cut, puncture wound, etc. and I am 62 yo. and have NEVER had a tetanus shot.)

I'm gonna print your response out and tape it to my wall, and read it when I start feeling like worrying

It didn't bleed. I'm really not sure how deep it was-- I pulled the "splinter" (or whatever it was) out before I really thought about what it was. It was really small in diameter (like a skinny straight pin) and my best guess is that it was in maybe 1/4 of an inch?? It was definitely deeper than just under the skin, and straight in.

If I took her to the doctor, I don't really imagine there is anything they can do anyway... Tell me to get a tetnus shot, which doesn't make any logical sense to me (let's combat possible tetanus by injecting her with tetanus)... give her antibiotics, which I am not going to give her until there is some reason to think there's an infection... poke it and make it hurt... scare me...

She's walking fine on it right now. We're keeping it clean. She won't keep a bandaid on it (she would if she were sleeping, but that seems backward, since that's a good time to get air to it). I think it only bothers her after I mess with her foot. I'll watch for signs of infection. I think we have hydrogen peroxide, but I'd heard that wasn't a good idea for wound care?

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by aricha

I'm gonna print your response out and tape it to my wall, and read it when I start feeling like worrying

It didn't bleed. I'm really not sure how deep it was-- I pulled the "splinter" (or whatever it was) out before I really thought about what it was. It was really small in diameter (like a skinny straight pin) and my best guess is that it was in maybe 1/4 of an inch?? It was definitely deeper than just under the skin, and straight in.

If I took her to the doctor, I don't really imagine there is anything they can do anyway... Tell me to get a tetnus shot, which doesn't make any logical sense to me (let's combat possible tetanus by injecting her with tetanus)... give her antibiotics, which I am not going to give her until there is some reason to think there's an infection... poke it and make it hurt... scare me...

She's walking fine on it right now. We're keeping it clean. She won't keep a bandaid on it (she would if she were sleeping, but that seems backward, since that's a good time to get air to it). I think it only bothers her after I mess with her foot. I'll watch for signs of infection. I think we have hydrogen peroxide, but I'd heard that wasn't a good idea for wound care?

I have heard and read this as well but I think it brings oxygen to the wound...

One hydrogen peroxide molecule (H2O2), consisting of 2 hydrogen atoms (H2) and 2 oxygen atoms (O2). When peroxide fizzes, a catalyst splits hydrogen peroxide into two hose down molecules and an oxygen atom. The reaction fizzes pure oxygen bubbles.

I have always used it for minor wound care and have never had any problems...the best way to clean is with soap and water though

[ZoeyZoo]

Originally Posted by aricha

I think we have hydrogen peroxide, but I'd heard that wasn't a good idea for wound care?

It's good in this case because on top of being a good antiseptic it is basically water with extra oxygen particles (it's H2O2). It there was any tetanus on whatever caused the injury, introducing oxygen to the wound would make sure that the toxoid that makes people sick can't grow.

Now some people don't recommend it it because it can delay healing when used constantly. Many people use it for an initial cleaning and then soap and water afterward for future cleaning.

Now the part about the tetanus vax not making sense isn't because they inject tetanus. It's because it takes weeks for someone to make antibodies from the vax (assuming it worked - not everyone builds antibodies to the vax). So it would offer no protection for this injury. If you LO was showing signs of tetanus they would need TIG which is a blood product where the antibodies are already developed and in the shot.

[SoCaliMommy]

My son that hasn't been vaxed stepped on the pointy piece on a belt and we just cleaned it up and i did take him to the drs just to have it looked at and nothing was done other than saying to just watch it for signs of infection and to keep it clean. It healed up fine.

[fruitfulmomma]

Now the part about the tetanus vax not making sense isn't because they inject tetanus. It's because it takes weeks for someone to make antibodies from the vax (assuming it worked - not everyone builds antibodies to the vax). So it would offer no protection for this injury. If you LO was showing signs of tetanus they would need TIG which is a blood product where the antibodies are already developed and in the shot.

This.

We also always use peroxide on initial wounds and any time they look infected with no problems.

I would clean it well, keep a clean pair of socks on her feet, and watch her for a few days.

[Anna's Lovey]

When I was a kid I stepped on nails ALL THE TIME. I was never vaxed. Didn't wash the cut. I just went around with a limp for a few days... I'm still alive.

[Cristiaz]

The risk of tetanus is like 1/10,000 or something like that. I wouldn't do it. Just boost her immunity with good whole organic foods, give her high doses of probiotics and her body will heal it like it's designed to do when properly nourished.