4 Ways to treat tetanus so that the infection does not spread widely

You should consider tetanus medication when you have an open wound. However, there are still many people who think that open wounds don't need to be treated by a doctor. In fact, when the symptoms of tetanus develop and become painful, consulting a doctor is a must. To be clear, here are some ways to treat tetanus which are usually done according to standard hospital procedures.

How to treat tetanus?

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the CDC, tetanus is a disease that requires immediate medical attention. If you experience symptoms that indicate tetanus, it is best to consult a doctor before poisoning the bacteria Clostridium tetani spread.

The doctor may need to clean the wound, prescribe antibiotics, to give you a tetanus booster shot. If you have previously been vaccinated against tetanus, your body must immediately make the antibodies it needs to protect you from the dangers of tetanus.

Here are some ways to treat tetanus so that the poison doesn't spread quickly.

1. Take good care of the wound

Tetanus is a disease of the nervous system caused by bacterial attack that comes from scratches or punctures of contaminated objects.

Therefore, when you are injured, treating the wound properly is one of the most effective ways to treat tetanus. This aims to inhibit the growth of tetanus spores.

Here are steps to help you treat your wound when you get a scratch or puncture:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after treating wounds. Wear gloves to make it more sterile when treating wounds.
2. Stop bleeding by gently pressing the injured area with a cloth or bandage.
3. Clean the wound with water and use a clean cloth to clean the area around the wound. Do not use hydrogen peroxide or iodine as these can cause irritation.
4. Apply antibiotic cream and ointment if you have one. Spread lightly to help prevent scarring. However, immediately stop using the ointment if a rash appears.
5. Cover it with a bandage or gauze roll that is glued together with masking tape. This method helps keep the wound clean.
6. Change the dressing at least once a day or every time the bandage gets wet or dirty.
7. Have a tetanus vaccine if you haven't received it in five years, especially if the wound is deep and dirty.
8. Check for signs of infection, such as the skin around the wound that is red, sore, oozing, or swollen. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms.

Cleaning the wound properly is the first way to treat tetanus so that the infection does not spread and get worse.

2. Take medication to reduce muscle spasms caused by tetanus

One of the disturbing symptoms of tetanus is muscle spasms. To treat tetanus, you can take drugs specifically to reduce these symptoms.

Benzodiazepines are referred to as the standard drug for treating muscle spasms caused by tetanus. However, another option that is cheaper and more widely available is diazepam.

According to WHO, diazepam is given to control muscle spasms because it is sedative, aka calming. In addition to diazepam, magnesium sulfate is also often given so that tetanus can be resolved immediately.

In addition, drugs that can reduce muscle spasms due to tetanus include:

• Baclofen
• Dantrolene
• Barbiturates
• Chlorpromazine

3. Routinely take the tetanus medication given by the doctor

In addition to taking muscle spasm relievers, another way to treat tetanus is by regularly taking medications given by a doctor. As reported by the Mayo Clinic, doctors will provide several types of drugs to prevent the spread of bacterial toxins from tetanus, such as:

Antitoxin

Antitoxins, namely tetanus immune globulin that can neutralize toxins when they are not bound to nerve tissue. Even so, antitoxins can only neutralize toxins that have not been bound to the nerve tissue.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics can be given in the form of oral or injection. Penicillin or metronidazole is a type of antibiotic that can fight tetanus bacteria.

Both are said to be effective against tetanus, but the journal published by BMC Critical Care says metronidazole can be the first choice.

In addition, WHO also mentioned various other antibiotic drugs that are effective in treating tetanus. These drugs are:

• Tetracyclines
• Macrolides
• Clindamycin
• Cephalosporins
• Chloramphenicol

4. Hospitalized

If the tetanus infection has spread and worsens the condition, doctors usually recommend that you be treated intensively in the hospital.

Usually, tetanus patients will be put in an inpatient room with a calmer environment. For example, choosing a room with dim lighting, less noise, and a stable room temperature. This is intended so that there is no external stimulation that increases the occurrence of muscle spasms.

Natural remedies for tetanus

In addition to medical medications from doctors, there are natural remedies that have been shown to help treat tetanus. The herbal medicine is called shakuyakukanzoto which is a Kampo medicine (the study of Chinese medicine in Japan).

A study published by Nihon Shuchu Chiryo Igakukai zasshi examined how effective shakuyakukanzoto is in treating tetanus. The study compared 3 cases of tetanus treated with shakuyakukanzoto and those not treated with the herbal medicine.

All patients studied were given tetanus drugs in the form of tetanus immune globulin and penicillin antibiotics. The difference is, some get shakuyakukanzoto, while others don't.

The results showed that patients who were given additional shakuyakukanzoto in the treatment of tetanus experienced improvements in muscle spasm, compared to those who did not get shakuyakukanzoto. In conclusion, shakuyakukanzoto may be useful in the treatment of muscle spasms in tetanus patients.

Treating tetanus can be successful if you follow the steps above and follow your doctor's advice. Don't forget to regularly consult a doctor to see the progress of your infection.