Slight burn and tetanus - please help

[MelindaGayle]

Hello,

I, like an idiot, was cooking dinner with my 11 week old daughter in a front pack. Her legs were sticking out, and when I removed something from the oven, I think her leg was burned  - she started screaming, but stopped quickly. I can see a little red mark on her leg, but it's too soon to tell whether it will blister.

She didn't get shots at her two month appointment because she was sick. Does she need a tetanus shot? I really, really am not ready to have her get a DTaP.

Can anyone help me with the risks here? Sorry if this seems like paranoia - I have a terminally ill seven year old, so I'm a little PTSD when it comes to kids' health.

Thanks,

Mindy

[blessedwithboys]

Aw, poor mama!  We've all done something like that at one point or another.  I promise, your heart hurts more than your LO's leg.  Just keep it clean and dry and it will be fine.  Tetanus is everywhere, but unless you keep livestock right in your kitchen, I don't think there's any real risk at all.  (((hugs)))

[motherhendoula]

I second that - im pretty sure you have to puncture the skin to be susceptible to tetanus.

[MelindaGayle]

Thank you both! I already washed it with soap and cold water - is that OK?

If it blisters, am I still in the clear?

No livestock in the kitchen, thankfully.

Should I keep it covered?

[Panserbjorne]

Originally Posted by motherhendoula 

I second that - im pretty sure you have to puncture the skin to be susceptible to tetanus.

nope.  the biggest risk is burns where the wound isn't allowing oxygen exposure to the blood.

that said, I doubt there's any major risk factors in your kitchen.  Hope your little one feels better soon. 

[ttcintexas]

Quick as I have to run out the door---My DD had a large (like much of her torso) 2nd degree burn from just boiled water when she was just under three years old. It blistered pretty quickly and blisters mostly popped within a few hours. She is not vaxed and her doctor never even brought up tetanus. The bigger concern was infection. She did fine and healed wonderfully. If it does blister and pop, you need to remove the dead skin because of infection risk. Don't beat yourself up, these things happen. Hugs to you and your LO.

[MelindaGayle]

Thanks, everyone. The burn was small enough that you can barely see it this morning, which just goes to show how paranoid I actually am. Appreciate the help.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

My son just had a third degree burn on the tip of his finger a couple of weeks ago and when I brought him into the ER, they never even mentioned tetanus.  He is completely unvaxxed and I just kept is super clean, and bandaged while he was at preschool, and I let it air out at night when he slept.  It was completely healed up within a week, and it was NASTY the night that he did it.  Hugs to you and your little one!