Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Otw.neosporin and band-aids that keep falling off and sticking to your socksand you won't even know exactly where you stepped on it in 2 days. Also have stepped on a few tacks. These are signs of an infection and you should see a dr. unless you live on the farm or come in contact with farm animals your tack is harmless. If Today this almost healed wound goes into contact with lets say tetanus, how high is a chance that I get infected? Apply an antibiotic ointment to the wound (most first-aid . In some cases there is nothing wrong with this approachone doesnt go to the doctor with every little scratchbut its important to know that even small foot puncture wounds can become infected if bacteria are introduced into the wound, and infection can lead to much more serious problems. This article has been viewed 44,626 times. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Vaccination is important, since there is no cure for tetanus, a disease caused by a bacterial toxin found in the soil, dirt, and animal feces. % of people told us that this article helped them. Tell him to phone NHS 24 (tel 0845 4 24 24 24). Over time, protection from tetanus decreases, so older children need to get a booster shot. Needless to say, a high percentage of foot puncture wounds occur to people who are barefoot, often outdoors, at the time of the injury. Just wondering if I should get it checked out. Make sure you get a good grip on the pin or tack with the tweezers before you pull it out. What should I do? Click here for an email preview. I stepped on a rusty nail sticking through a roofing tile when I was a kid. Unless you're around horses, as long as you've had a tetnus shot in the past 10 you should be fine. By using this website, you agree to our, A Puncture Wound in Your Foot What You Can Do, Ankle Injuries: Sprains, Strains and Fractures, Broken Foot: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment, Cuboid Syndrome: Symptoms and Treatment Options, Foot And Ankle MRI What You Should Know, Foot and Ankle Ultrasounds: Your Complete Guide, Metatarsal Fracture Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment, Trench Foot - Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention, Swelling and redness of the skin surrounding the wound (this area may expand over time). Seek medical attention for any serious wounds or injuries. Some versions of the vaccine also protect against pertussis, or whooping cough. You can also soak in Epson salts, but that will probably hurt at first. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency. You're not sure if the wound was caused by a clean or dirty object and your last tetanus shot was over 5 years ago. Answer (1 of 7): Question: "Can you get HIV from stepping on infected blood?" I'm answering this because I think the other answers so far are incorrect. Biology of wounds and wound care. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. American Family Physician. Cases of tetanus in the U. S. and the rest of the developed world are rare due to high rates of vaccination. Use an antibiotic cream and keep the wound covered with a bandage until it scabs over. Tdap. Immediately after stepping on a rusty nail, you have to do the procedures to avoid infection. Spasm of jaw muscles (commonly referred to as lockjaw), Board-like rigidity of the abdominal muscles, Laryngospasm, or spasm of the vocal cords, which can make breathing difficult, Secondary infections, such as pneumonia, as a result of prolonged hospitalization, Pulmonary embolism, or blood clots in the lungs.