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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Should I Get A Tetanus Shot For A Clean Nail Which Barely Pierced My Foot? I Did Apply Neosporin Soon After.

Hi, a shiny, clean nail just barley pierced the bottom of my foot. It is a very small cut and a tooth pick wouldn't even fit in it. Barley any blood came out on its own but I pinched the area for 15 minutes in hope of getting out the blood that potentially could become dirty and harm me. As soon as I got home, I applied to the area a little neosporin and as weird as it sounds, vodka. I had a tdap should recently if it helps determine a solution. Most of the nail pierced my shoe and the tip of the nail hit my foot causing it to have a very tiny hole because of how sharp a nail is. Within milliseconds of the nail going into my shoe, I removed it with haste. I immediately pinched the area as stated and had a friend drive me home. Do I need a tetanus shot? Is this life threatening? Thanks
Mon, 30 Dec 2013
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General Surgeon 's  Response
Hi...yes do get the tetanus injection at the earliest... its a common misconception that only dirty n rusted nails cause tetanus... its not so...its not the rust or dirt that causes it...its the bacteria which are invisible to naked eyes and can even be there on a visibly clean nail...

Dr. Ashish Verma
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Should I Get A Tetanus Shot For A Clean Nail Which Barely Pierced My Foot? I Did Apply Neosporin Soon After.

Hi...yes do get the tetanus injection at the earliest... its a common misconception that only dirty n rusted nails cause tetanus... its not so...its not the rust or dirt that causes it...its the bacteria which are invisible to naked eyes and can even be there on a visibly clean nail... Dr. Ashish Verma