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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Do I Need Tetanus Shot For Finger Nail Scratch?

I gouged my left thumb with the fingernail on my right thumb. I had been cleaning and this nail was very dirty. I immediately cleaned it & within 40 minutes was able to clean it again with peroxide & bacitracin. My question is I had a tetanus shot 3 years ago-am I alright or do I need another shot, etc.?
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Fri, 6 Jun 2014 Answered on
Twitter Sat, 7 Jun 2014 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Theoretically you need not have to get immunized with tetanus toxoid shot if you have completed the tetanus immunization schedule & received the shot in previous five years.

But considering the cost effectiveness & the dangers caused by the disease tetanus(if at all it developes) it is a regular practice to advice the tetanus toxoid shot if the wound is encountered by the object harbouring the dust which is the habitat for tetanus spores and the the person has not recevied the toxoid within last 6 to 12 months.

Any how taking a toxoid is not going to produce any harm so better to go for it.
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Do I Need Tetanus Shot For Finger Nail Scratch?

Theoretically you need not have to get immunized with tetanus toxoid shot if you have completed the tetanus immunization schedule & received the shot in previous five years. But considering the cost effectiveness & the dangers caused by the disease tetanus(if at all it developes) it is a regular practice to advice the tetanus toxoid shot if the wound is encountered by the object harbouring the dust which is the habitat for tetanus spores and the the person has not recevied the toxoid within last 6 to 12 months. Any how taking a toxoid is not going to produce any harm so better to go for it.