This may mean a visit to the hospital. 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.
The tetanus vaccine protects people against tetanus and diphtheria. Some versions of the vaccine also protect against pertussis , or whooping cough. Immunity from the vaccine lasts around 10 years. All of these conditions are potentially serious. Tetanus can be fatal in two people out of every 10 who get it. If a person who steps on a nail has not had a tetanus vaccination in the last 5 years , they should see a doctor right away so they can get a top-up.
Symptoms of a tetanus infection include :. Someone may not develop tetanus symptoms for up to 60 days after an injury. If someone has these symptoms after they step on a nail, they should dial the emergency number Most puncture wounds are minor and heal with no further issues. However, if a wound is deep, has ragged edges, or contains a foreign object, it is more likely to develop complications. These can include :. Osteomyelitis develops slowly, and may take days or months to appear.
Here are the 8 most common causes and what you can do to treat and prevent them. Pinky toe corns are pretty common foot complaints. There are several ways to remove them. We interviewed four experts on what to look for and what to avoid in a shoe if you have plantar fasciitis.
Learn more about what…. But in other cases, they could be a symptom of an underlying condition. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. How to Prevent Complications from Stepping on a Nail. Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.
First aid See a doctor Outlook Overview Stepping on a nail can be a painful experience. What to do immediately after the injury.
When should you see a doctor? Read this next. Tetanus Lockjaw. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Bump on the Bottom of the Foot. View current visitor policy. Tetanus is a serious, sometimes fatal disease that affects your nervous system. The disease itself is rare in the United States because the tetanus vaccine is so effective and is regularly administered to our population.
The tetanus bacteria can infect us with any break of the skin. The 6-year-old Oregon boy recently in the news for contracting tetanus was in the perfect scenario for the disease to take hold. Animal bite injuries and wounds that could be contaminated with dust, soil or feces put us at risk for tetanus. Crush injuries, too, are high-risk because they create lots of spaces where tetanus bacteria can develop.
The onset of tetanus usually begins between three days and three weeks after an injury. Symptoms include muscle pain, muscle spasms, difficulty breathing and difficulty swallowing.
With tetanus, the body has an overstimulation of muscle, which is what causes those painful spasms and contractions. Treatment includes limiting stimuli in the room, as something as simple as lights or sounds can trigger muscle spasms. This treatment is in addition to antibiotics, wound care, medicine to help control muscle spasms and a medication called human tetanus immune globulin. Talk with your doctor about what options would be best for you.
Adults should stay up to date on their year tetanus booster shots, and follow the recommended vaccination schedule for children. Seven Tips for a Healthy School Year. Three Tips for Fighting a Fever.
0コメント