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Can you step on a rusty nail and not get tetanus?
Do you believe tetanus, often called lockjaw, is caused by stepping on a rusty nail? If you do, you’re partly right. Rust doesn’t cause tetanus, but stepping on a nail might if you’re not immunized. In fact, any damage to the skin, even burns and blisters, allows tetanus-causing bacteria to enter the body.
How long does it take for tetanus to set in after stepping on a nail?
The incubation period — time from exposure to illness — is usually between 3 and 21 days (average 10 days). However, it may range from one day to several months, depending on the kind of wound. Most cases occur within 14 days.
What to do if you poke yourself with a rusty nail?
The first steps should be to clean the wound with soap and water. Use an antibiotic cream and keep the wound covered with a bandage until it scabs over. Remember to change the dressing daily or it becomes wet or dirty, and seek care if the wound is getting more red or painful, or if you have other concerns.
Can a rusty nail kill you?
Rusty nails do not cause tetanus themselves, but they often occupy dirty or dusty areas that harbor Clostridium tetani, the bacteria that cause tetanus . Stepping on a nail can spread this bacteria to humans. Wounds are the most common way people get tetanus.
Is swelling normal after stepping on a nail?
Is It Normal for Your Foot to Swell After Stepping on a Nail? After this sort of injury, you are likely to experience some swelling. But there does come a point when swelling may indicate something more serious.
Can you put Neosporin on a puncture wound?
Apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment (Neosporin, Polysporin). For the first two days, rewash the area and reapply the antibiotic when you change the dressing.
How do you take care of your foot after stepping on a nail?
Prompt treatment after a nail puncture can speed the healing process and prevent an infection:
- Wash your hands. Wash your hands before caring for any type of wound.
- Stop the bleeding. Some nail punctures bleed, some don’t.
- Clean your wound.
- Apply antibiotic cream.
- Cover your wound.