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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Tiny Dot Under Foot After Stepping And Pulling Out A Rusty Nail, Little Pain. No Blood. Can Tetanus Shot Wait?

I stepped on a rusty old nail while swimming in a lake today. I pulled the nail out and there is a really tiny dot (you have to pull on the skin to see it) that looks underneath the tough layers of my foot (bottom of my foot). It hurts but there was no blood and I could not find any skin broken except the layers that dont hurt on the underfoot. Today is Saturday, can I wait until Monday to get a Tetanus booster? I do not recall when my last shot was..I think it's been more than 10 years. Thanks.
Wed, 11 Sep 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi there!

I would suggest you get a tetanus shot as soon as possible. Ideally tetanus shots will have to be given for any penetrating injury, within 8 to 48 hours. Even if there is just a dot, why wait? Especially since it has been more than 10 years since your last shot. I would suggest that you try to get the shot as early as soon as you can. If needed, they will assess you and then try to put you on antibiotics.

Cheers!
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Tiny Dot Under Foot After Stepping And Pulling Out A Rusty Nail, Little Pain. No Blood. Can Tetanus Shot Wait?

Hi there! I would suggest you get a tetanus shot as soon as possible. Ideally tetanus shots will have to be given for any penetrating injury, within 8 to 48 hours. Even if there is just a dot, why wait? Especially since it has been more than 10 years since your last shot. I would suggest that you try to get the shot as early as soon as you can. If needed, they will assess you and then try to put you on antibiotics. Cheers!