Just cut my finger on a tin can lid. Do I need to worry about tetanus?

[Gravitycollapse]

It's not a particularly large cut as far as width. About as large as a paper cut. But it is significantly deeper.

[vanlassie]

1. Was the can rusty? I think that's when you worry?

[Aristus]

13. The 'rusty metal' trope is a myth.

Clostridium tetani is most commonly found in soil and manure. When farmers and other people who work with livestock would scratch themselves on a rusty nail out in the barn, they thought it was the rust that led to the tetanus infection.

They never stopped to think about the soil and/or manure that might have contaminated the nail...

[vanlassie]

19. Good to know. Thanks!

[RebelOne]

18. I am 74 years and have cut myself on any number of things.

And never in my life have I had a tetanus shot. Either I have been very lucky or have a good immune system. And that could be the case because I never get colds even when exposed to someone who has a cold.

[Dash87]

20. Rust doesn't actually cause disease. It's a chemical reaction in metal.

The reason rust is associated with tetanus is because old metal lying around (which often gets rusty from sitting there in the rain or just being old) is also more likely to be full of bacteria, including the bacteria that causes tetanus. There's nobody there to clean it.

The myth also might have come from farms, b/c tetanus-causing bacteria live in the soil and animals' intestines.

[Paulie]

2. When was your last booster?

They are only good for like 10 years.

[Gravitycollapse]

4. It's been less than 10 years. I think closer to 5.

[elleng]

3. Newly opened?

No problem.

[Gravitycollapse]

6. Yeah I had just opened it.

[elleng]

7. No problem with tetanus at all,

but wash it, try antibiotic cream, and cover lightly to not incur infection. Don't keep moist and in the dark for long periods, so change bandage in the morning.

[Gravitycollapse]

8. Thank you!

[elleng]

9. You're welcome, Gravitycollapse.

Haven't had kids, eh?

[Gravitycollapse]

10. Nope. Just a college student trying to eat beans out of a can.

[elleng]

11. OK, keep blood away from books, more valuable to exchange that way!

(You got books these days???)
Enjoy the beans!

[TexasTowelie]

16. Back to Ramen for you! Approved by 4 out of 5 college students.

It looks like you have some good advice. I've been so banged up lately (bike wreck that blew out my knee on July 4, hit by a PT cruiser riding a bike last Friday and some bee stings on Sunday) that I'm probably past my expiration date.

[rug]

5. No, it's entirely opyional.

[flying_wahini]

12. I had a tetanus shot lately - the doctor told me that they were only really good for 5 years.

I thought 10 years, too.

[RiffRandell]

21. Weird.

I'm due for a physical in a couple months and will ask my dr.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

14. How funny perceptions are. A few years ago, I retired after 43 years as a Sheet Metal Worker.

In the first few years, your hands look like Hamburger from the cuts. After awhile, you get callouses and learn to handle metal without so many cuts but cuts are just part of the business. You get to a point where, if you can stop a cut from bleeding all over your work by wrapping it in duct tape, you just ignore it. Hell, I had eight stitches in my thumb and was out playing golf two ours later.

Tetanus shot? No idea when I had my last one. I think the danger of cuts is more a matter of perception than reality. On the other hand, maybe I got cut so often that my body developed natural defense from bad stuff. I don"t know but I have severed arteries and just taped them up and moved on. I think maybe we worry too much.

[cliffordu]

15. Prolly not. But go get a shot. Easy Peasy.

[B Calm]

17. I cut my hand on rusty wire making tomato cages

a few years back. The doctor told me the tetanus shot will be good for the next ten years.

[DebJ]

22. According to the Mayo Clinic

"When to see a doctor
See your doctor to obtain a tetanus booster shot if you have a deep or dirty wound and you haven't had a booster shot within the past five years or aren't sure of when your last booster was. Or see your doctor about a tetanus booster for any wound — especially if it may have been contaminated with dirt, animal feces or manure — if you haven't had a booster shot within the past 10 years or aren't sure of when you were last vaccinated. "
http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/tetanus/ds00227/dsection=all&method=print

[OxQQme]

23. Smooth edge opener

NO MORE SHARP EDGES

Several company's make them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jFNJ2gNqJbk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ydkUvD4hJl4

The really good thing about this type of opener....no metal shavings into the contents.

The lids can be put back (not airtight) and used for storage of odds and ends.
Paint or decorate the can. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=VCnmtJbI1oo