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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Stepped On Rusty Nail, Punctured Skin, Painful. Can I Get Infected?

Hi I stepped on a rusty nail today I had shoes on ,but it went through & punctured my skin, at first it was painful, but I went straight off to work & was rather anxious to look at it until my husband came home I showed him & it looks little infected (red with a brown circle) on heel of foot. As the day went on I have been finding it more uncomfortable to walk on it although if sitting no pain at all? I had tetanus approx 3-4 yrs ago be grateful for any help thank you
Mon, 15 Apr 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
hello and thanks for the query .
as u have mentioned in ur question that the nail was rusted, hence there is a high chance of developing secondary infection due to tetanus or other organism. since u can't remember the exact time of vaccination it wud be advisable to get a booster dose of tetanus again. also u must get yourself clinically examined by a doctor since u may require surgical debridement and sutures with appropriate dressing of the wound. it wud be advisable to start a course of oral antibiotic since ur wound show redness and may already be infected. I wud advice u visit ur nearest doctor as soon as possible since the infection can spread very fast.
hopefully this will solve ur problem.
thanks
good luck.
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Stepped On Rusty Nail, Punctured Skin, Painful. Can I Get Infected?

hello and thanks for the query . as u have mentioned in ur question that the nail was rusted, hence there is a high chance of developing secondary infection due to tetanus or other organism. since u can t remember the exact time of vaccination it wud be advisable to get a booster dose of tetanus again. also u must get yourself clinically examined by a doctor since u may require surgical debridement and sutures with appropriate dressing of the wound. it wud be advisable to start a course of oral antibiotic since ur wound show redness and may already be infected. I wud advice u visit ur nearest doctor as soon as possible since the infection can spread very fast. hopefully this will solve ur problem. thanks good luck.