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Is A Tetanus Shot Advisable After Scratching An Arm Against The Nail?
Question: I have a question about if I need to get a tetanus shot. 2 days ago I scratched my arm against a nail or some sort of metal that was in a telephone poll. The scratch is about 3 or 4 inches long. At first there was no mark but after a few minutes it became red. There was a very small amount of blood on one end of the scratch. It stopped bleeding almost immedietly. Within 20 minutes I cleaned it with an iodine-based antibiotic ointment. My last Tetanus shot was 6.5 years ago. I am 43 and otherwise healthy.
Brief Answer:
good health
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for query.
You have already cleaned the wound properly with ointment, but you scratched against a metal.
I would recommend you to get a tetanus shot now.
your last tetanus vaccination was 6.5 years ago which is too long.
Get back if any query.
Regards,
Dr VSK
good health
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for query.
You have already cleaned the wound properly with ointment, but you scratched against a metal.
I would recommend you to get a tetanus shot now.
your last tetanus vaccination was 6.5 years ago which is too long.
Get back if any query.
Regards,
Dr VSK
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
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