Tetanus causes rusty nails: myth or fact?

Tetanus is a serious infection caused by bacterial spores Clostridium tetani. These bacteria are found in soil, dust and animal feces. When it enters the body, the bacteria that cause tetanus will produce toxins that cause damage to the nervous system controlling muscle movement. Therefore, someone who is exposed to tetanus can develop early symptoms such as muscle stiffness and spasms, especially in the jaw, neck, shoulders, back, upper abdomen, arms and thighs. So he said, one of the common causes of tetanus is being pricked by a rusty nail. Is this assumption true?

Is it true that pricking a rusty nail is the cause of tetanus?

Pricked with rusty nails is not the main and only cause of infection with tetanus. Actually, the main determining factor is the skin injury from the incident. You can get tetanus if the wound from the puncture is left "open," not cleaned, and not properly cared for.

Any sharp object, whether corroded or not, piercing and penetrating the skin will form a special tunnel for any bacteria to enter and infect the body.

The wound can also be a "doorway" for tetanus-causing bacteria to infect the body. This was revealed by Dr. William Schaffner, a specialist in infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University on the Livescience page.

Schaffner even said there are people who get tetanus simply because they get scratched by a kitchen knife. This shows that actually tetanus infection is still very likely to occur from even a small cut, regardless of what caused the wound.

Apart from rusty nails, here are some things that can cause a person to get tetanus:

• Didn't get the tetanus vaccine.
• Having a low immune system because of certain diseases, such as cancer and HIV / AIDS.
• Have had a serious fracture where the bone became infected.
• Have had stab wounds, such as piercings, tattoos, or injected drugs.
• Experienced burns that required surgery but were delayed for more than six hours.
• Experiencing burns that remove a lot of body tissue.
• Have had a wound caused by a star or insect bite.
• Experiencing boils on the infected leg.
• Experiencing wounds after undergoing a surgical procedure.
• Has had a deep gunshot wound.
• Have a tooth infection.

First aid after being pricked by a rusty nail

Interestingly, Schaffner added, the tetanus-causing bacteria can survive very long in extreme conditions as long as there is a supply of oxygen.

However, when these bacteria enter the human body, their oxygen supply is cut off. This emergency situation actually forces them to reproduce quickly and produce dangerous toxins. The toxins then spread throughout the body via our bloodstream and trigger infection.

So if you've recently been punctured by a rusty nail, or scratched by any sharp object, take care of the wound immediately so that it doesn't become a gateway for the bacteria that cause tetanus.

Here are the step by step first aid you need to do after being punctured by a rusty nail:

• Wash hands with soap and clean water.
• Gently press on the wound to stop bleeding and stimulate blood clotting.
• Rinse the wound under clean running water for a few minutes. If necessary, use tweezers that have been washed with alcohol to remove small debris from the wound.
• After cleaning and drying the wound, apply a thin layer of antibiotic cream.
• Next, cover the wound with gauze or a clean cheesecloth. Change the gauze at least once a day, preferably after bathing.

If the bleeding doesn't stop or even shows signs of infection, consult a doctor immediately.