There was a piece of graphite lead from a mechanical pencil hidden in the carpet at my house. I put my foot on it, and it must have been turned vertically because it punctured the bottom of my foot. It was a very sharp piece, and that is what is was because after i pulled it out i tested it and i could write with it and easily broke it in half. I put some peroxide on the entry spot (my stepdad told me to do this, he was the only other one home at the time). Do I need to take any further precautions other that keeping the entry site covered until it completely heals over? I dont know if you can get tetanus from graphite that wasnt exposed to rainwater, or from any graphite at all for that matter. At any rate, my last tetanus shot was exactly 5 years ago.
2007-07-05 10:55:05 · 5 answers · asked by pocketful_of_sunshine 4 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
I think most tetanus shots are good for more than 5 years. I think the germ can be in dirt in general. If you bled a little, this probably flushed it out. It wouldn't hurt to put a bandage over the spot to keep any more dirt out. Just watch it a day or two. If any sign of infection occurs, see the doctor. My doctor said a tetanus booster is good if you get it in 24 hours or so, but doesn't matter that much after that, as long as you are current.
2007-07-05 14:29:02 · answer #1 · answered by RB 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Peroxide should not be used on puncture wounds; if there is matter (bacteria, debris, etc.) in the wound the peroxide can force it more deeply into the tissues. For the same reason, compressing or squeezing the wound to make it bleed is not advisable.
Tetanus bacteria live in soil, saliva, dust and manure. You are not likely to get tetanus from a graphite "lead" and you have been vaccinated recently for tetanus, so you are probably at very low risk.
Covering the puncture site with a band-aid and using an antibiotic ointment would be appropriate treatment. Of course, if you notice significant pain, redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or red streaks you must seek medical attention.
I have graphite in my hand and the back of one leg from over 30 years ago. At least you know graphite isn't lead and you can't get lead poisoning from it!
2007-07-05 14:25:47 · answer #2 · answered by july 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Graphite can't cause lead poisoning, if that's something you're worried about. Pencils haven't contained lead since like, the 30s. If you got all the graphite out, you're fine. Tetanus isn't anything to worry about most likely, especially since your last shot for it was 5 years ago. I think tetanus shots last somewhere between 7 to 10 years... So yeah, you're fine.
2007-07-05 11:16:21 · answer #3 · answered by wolf_howl_21 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Besides applying peroxide, it's usually good to squeeze some blood out of the wound (if it's not bleeding on its own) to help flush out anything that was poked into it by the sharp object.
As for tetanus being carried in rainwater, I think it's more at home in the soil. If the carpet was dry, it's unlikely there would be much risk of tetanus.
2007-07-05 11:07:23 · answer #4 · answered by HyperDog 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you did the right thing and I wouldn't be concerned. My BFF was holding a binder during school 2 years ago, hitting it with quite a bit of force with a graphite pencil when it went through the binder and into her hand. It bled some, but she is still alive and kickin' today.
2007-07-05 11:01:48 · answer #5 · answered by Whitter's 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋