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Should I Have Tetanus Shot Inspite Of Having A Skin Cut?
Question: Ok, so to be completely honest I have hypochondria---currently seeking treatment. But today I am unable to shake my concern and I am wasting my day worrying. My husband has even said I am way out in left field...
Yesterday at the store I cut--really just scraped...no blood...my forearm in the milk cooler. I looked inside and there was what looked like a box cutter wedged under one of the shelves. I immediately washed it real well with soap and water. It is only about a half inch long and pink now. No redness, swelling or warmth...My shoulder is sore today but common sense says that is probably due to something completely unrelated since the site is truly non impressive. I have not had a tetanus shot in 13 years...latex allergy. In your opinion am I just being psychosomatic? It helps to hear it from a knowledgeable source.
Yesterday at the store I cut--really just scraped...no blood...my forearm in the milk cooler. I looked inside and there was what looked like a box cutter wedged under one of the shelves. I immediately washed it real well with soap and water. It is only about a half inch long and pink now. No redness, swelling or warmth...My shoulder is sore today but common sense says that is probably due to something completely unrelated since the site is truly non impressive. I have not had a tetanus shot in 13 years...latex allergy. In your opinion am I just being psychosomatic? It helps to hear it from a knowledgeable source.
Brief Answer:
You can not take the risk.Go for tetanus shot.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I am Dr.Rovena
I had gone through your query and understand your concern.
It is not necessary to have a deep wound to be in risk for tetanus.If your skin was damaged than the skin barrier was broken and a possible tetanus infection may occur.
To decide if you need a tetanus shot, first decide if the object that caused the wound was dirty or clean. An object is dirty if it has dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it. A clean object does not have dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it.
Even why you told your wound was caused by an clean object you will need a tetanus shot because your last tetanus shot was longer than 10 years ago.
WHO recommends that a tetanus shot should be done every 10 years.
So since there has been 13 years from your last tetanus shot you should do it even if you were not cut.
I suggest to get the tetanus toxoid shot.
It is better to prevent (even when you think it has no chance to happen) than regret.
Hope I was able to help you.
If you have any further question I will be happy to help.
Wish you good health.
Dr.Rovena
You can not take the risk.Go for tetanus shot.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I am Dr.Rovena
I had gone through your query and understand your concern.
It is not necessary to have a deep wound to be in risk for tetanus.If your skin was damaged than the skin barrier was broken and a possible tetanus infection may occur.
To decide if you need a tetanus shot, first decide if the object that caused the wound was dirty or clean. An object is dirty if it has dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it. A clean object does not have dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it.
Even why you told your wound was caused by an clean object you will need a tetanus shot because your last tetanus shot was longer than 10 years ago.
WHO recommends that a tetanus shot should be done every 10 years.
So since there has been 13 years from your last tetanus shot you should do it even if you were not cut.
I suggest to get the tetanus toxoid shot.
It is better to prevent (even when you think it has no chance to happen) than regret.
Hope I was able to help you.
If you have any further question I will be happy to help.
Wish you good health.
Dr.Rovena
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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