my 5 yr old pricked the bottom of her foot with a rusty nail that was through a piece of small wood?

Question

is there need for concern?
I just washed it and put some neosporin on it.
should i call the dr.? she can walk fine and it does not bother her.

Answer 1

take her to the emergency rooms now and get a tetnis
shot.

Answer 2

In children under the age of seven, the tetanus vaccine is often administered as a combined vaccine, DPT vaccine or DTaP. I would call her doctor (whoever is on call for the weekend) and ask them to verify if she's had this shot. If she has had the vaccination, then there's no need to worry. What you have done should suffice.

**EDIT**
After reading a lot of the answers I just want to clear something up about rust. Tetanus is often associated with rust, especially rusty nails, but this concept is somewhat misleading. Objects that accumulate rust are often found outdoors, or in places that harbor anaerobic bacteria, but the rust itself does not cause tetanus nor does it contain more C. tetani bacteria. The rough surface of rusty metal merely provides a prime habitat for a C. tetani endospore to reside. An endospore is a non-metabolising survival structure that begins to metabolise and cause infection once in an adequate environment. Because C. tetani is an anaerobic bacterium, it, and its endospores, will thrive in an environment that lacks oxygen. Hence, stepping on a nail (rusty or not) may result in a tetanus infection, due to the ideal bacterial breeding ground provided by the low-oxygen environment of a puncture wound.

Answer 3

It depends on when she had her last Tetanus shot. Some last 5 years, others 10. I'd check with her doctor if they have an answering service. If not, you might want to take her to the ER just to be on the safe side.

Answer 4

The only thing the Doc would do is give her a tetanus shot but she may have already had one I do not remember when this shot is given It is only needed every 10 years

Answer 5

If she has not had a tetnus shot in last 7 years you need to take her for one. Rusty nails and anything else with rust that breaks the skin can cause an infection that causes lock jaw.

Answer 6

She will need a tetanus shot ~ rust entering the bloodstream can and will cause severe infection, tetanus and eventually lock jaw if not taken care of immediately.

Answer 7

my cusin had tha happen to him before,, abd i would take him to the doctor .. neosporn and poxide are good cleaners but it better to take her to a doctor because when a rusty nail goes into your body it can not only cause an infection but it goes to your blood stream and can cause a major deasease tha can resault to death may sound crazy but it true rust or infected things go and attack yeh blood stream it dangerous i would take her to the doc to be on the safe side.. it hard to tell who touch or wha was on tha nail there all kinds of things out there and she might require a shot to prevent infect and deases cuz i remeber my cuzin had to get one just go to doc better to be safe then sorry later on

Answer 8

Of course wash it off.
If it broke the skin you should still at least call the doctor and ask for his/her advice.
She might need a tetnus shot just to be safe.

Answer 9

Well a rusty nail could cause an infection ...watch out for this......and ..a tetnus shot might be the key here..But ask your doctor...

Answer 10

If it broke the skin she probably needs a tetanus shot is she hasn't had one in the last 5 years. (if I remember correctly, they are only good for 5 years) Call your doctor , just in case. Suerte!

Answer 11

YES CALL A DOCTOR!

You should make sure she is not at risk for tetanus. If she had her shots for school she should be fine, but call and be certain!