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Is There A Possibility Of Infection After A Wound Comes In Contact With Animal Feces?
Question: Yesterday, I was cutting the hairs near my dog's anus because the feces was trapped in its fur, and this was blocking the dog's defecation. The scissors was sharp and I caused a small cut or two on my finger with the scissors which cut through feces. Washed the cut, used neosporin. The dog is healthy.
If no infection on the finger develops, can I assume there will be no sepsis or system wide infection?
If no infection on the finger develops, can I assume there will be no sepsis or system wide infection?
Brief Answer:
follow the advises...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I've gone through your query and understand your concerns.
First of all, please don't worry as its extremely unlikely (almost negligible) to develop any sepsis or systemic infections in this fashion... That being said, you do need to take a Tetanus Toxoid shot (if not taken in the past 6months or not already immunized)...
Just make sure the area is not inflamed too much/excessive redness/heat over the affected fingers/no active bleeding... Instead of Neosporin, perhaps apply Betadine (Povidone Iodine 10% W/V) solution with the help of some sterilized gauze piece three times daily over the area and keep it dry, open and clean.
This should take care of it within a few days itself...
If despite this there's any worsening of the wound, any further development of those warning signs mentioned above, then you need to get it checked up to your nearest ER/Urgent care for further evaluation and oral antibiotics therapy (again extremely unlikely, but I'm still mentioning it, if at all necessary)...
Next time onwards, before attempting such procedures, do always put on a pair of gloves...
Let me know if I can assist you further...
Take Care
Kind Regards
follow the advises...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I've gone through your query and understand your concerns.
First of all, please don't worry as its extremely unlikely (almost negligible) to develop any sepsis or systemic infections in this fashion... That being said, you do need to take a Tetanus Toxoid shot (if not taken in the past 6months or not already immunized)...
Just make sure the area is not inflamed too much/excessive redness/heat over the affected fingers/no active bleeding... Instead of Neosporin, perhaps apply Betadine (Povidone Iodine 10% W/V) solution with the help of some sterilized gauze piece three times daily over the area and keep it dry, open and clean.
This should take care of it within a few days itself...
If despite this there's any worsening of the wound, any further development of those warning signs mentioned above, then you need to get it checked up to your nearest ER/Urgent care for further evaluation and oral antibiotics therapy (again extremely unlikely, but I'm still mentioning it, if at all necessary)...
Next time onwards, before attempting such procedures, do always put on a pair of gloves...
Let me know if I can assist you further...
Take Care
Kind Regards
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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