This morning on my bike I was splashed with horse poop by a passer-by on a scooter. It mostly got in my hair. At home I washed my hair. I ran my nails along my scalp, causing an incision. Could this have introduced bacteria into the wound? I had the last vaccination about twelve years ago. Should I be concerned about a tetanus infection?
a reader
Joris Bartstra, journalist with medical diploma
I think it’s okay. Firstly, the ten-year standard for a tetanus shot is quite arbitrary: one has to set a limit somewhere and it is quite safe. In addition, tetanus is caused by a slow-growing bacteria that does not use oxygen. It therefore works well in tissues with poor circulation (such as bite or impact wounds where tissue is bruised, burns, frostbite and ulcers), and not in a clean, open wound.
The chance of infection is actually minimal. Still, it’s good to get that shot again.
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