Hello Doctor,
I was at the beach about a week ago and accidentally cut my foot on something sharp – I’m not sure if it was a rock or a shell. I rinsed it off and cleaned it with alcohol pretty quickly right after it happened. The cut wasn’t too deep, but I just realized I’ve never had a tetanus shot before. I’ve been kind of worried because I don’t know exactly what caused the cut, and I’ve read that tetanus can come from injuries like this. It’s been a week now, and I haven’t had any symptoms – no muscle stiffness or anything like that – but I’m still feeling unsure. Is it too late to do anything about it now? Should I still be concerned or get a tetanus shot?
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to Dr. Galen. Please find the below response to your query.
Since you’ve never had a tetanus shot and got a cut from an unknown object at the beach, it's important to consult a doctor as soon as possible. Even though it's been a week, your doctor can assess whether you need a tetanus vaccine and possibly tetanus immune globulin (serum) to protect you.
It's a good sign you haven’t had symptoms like jaw stiffness or muscle spasms, but tetanus can sometimes take weeks to show up. Your doctor should also check the wound for any signs of infection.
Thanks
Ask Multiple Doctors Online for Just $5!
Ask Now