Tetnus

[leighi123]

Ds scraped his leg pretty badly on a rusty peice of metal that is part of a wooden chest we have that we had overseas for 15yrs (and bought in thailand maybe?)

Anyway, my parents (who I live with) both think he needs a tetnus shot. So far, the only vax he has had was one shot of hep b given right at birth which they gave without my consent.

Ds has a week immune system due to multiple allergies that are impossible to avoid (he is allergic to everything from the foods, to paint, carpet glue, cleaners etc) and is VERY chemical sensitive. So I dont want to inject chemicals into him! But also having a week immune systmem means he can get infections more easily. He has never been sick in his life (not even colds), but when he gets a cut or 'boo boo' it takes forever to heal!

Anyways- how likley is it for kids to get tetnus with normal boo boo's and things? We clean up wounds and use antibacterial/bandaids, and keep an eye on them.

I thought I read somewhere that kids dont get tetnus as much as adults or something like that, but I cant find the info now.

Does anyone have a link to something I can show them that says he will be just fine without vaxing him??

[ammiga]

The most important thing you can do is clean out the wound with hydrogen peroxide, as tetanus is anaerobic. You want the wound to heal from the inside out, so avoid sealing it up with a bandaid, unless it is loosely applied for protection. Keep it clean with the peroxide until it heals, and allow exposure to air whenever possible. With scrapes, as opposed to deep puncture wounds, I wouldn't worry about tetanus.

Tetanus usually occurs in those with poor circulatory systems... the elderly, people with diabetes, etc. The vaccine can take 3-14 days to offer any protection, so vaccinating at this point wouldn't do much of anything.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

A tetanus shot would be useless at this point he would need the TIG. I am not certain but thinking he has to be older to get it?

A scrape is not a problem even with rust the problem is puncture wounds that do not bleed and arnt cleaned well.