Question 1

could daily exposure to rust cause tetanus or some other type of illness?

Accepted Answer

Confusing Xrays: Rust in and by itself does not cause tetanus. However, chronic exposure to a cloud of rust particles could cause confusing chest xrays. Particle filters & masks are recommender in occupations where this is expected. Small rust particles can be inhaled into the deep areas of the lung & settle in. Xrays look sickly but patients tend to be asymptomatic. (siderosis).

Question 2

why does rust cause tetanus?

Accepted Answer

Not the rust: It is not the rust, but bacteria that often live on rusty nails.  It is the puncture wound that allows these bacteria to enter your body and grow in the relatively low oxygen environment of a puncture wound.

Question 3

we noticed in our food that there was a screw with some rust in it. is it possible that i could get tetanus from it? does it survive in our stomachs?

Accepted Answer

: NO, you don't.  Tetanus is caused by neurotoxin produced by bacterium called Clostridium tetani in contaminated and deep puncture wound. The organism is a normal inhabitant of soil and human intestine.

Question 4

grazed my knee on a metal garden stake that had some rust on top. do i need a  tetanus booster? did bleed and now stopped. not deep just skin off a small part. wound clean. been probably more than 10 years since last booster

Accepted Answer

Yes: A tetanus booster will be needed in above circumstances.

Question 5

i was cleaning rust off the bathtub and the rusty soap suds got into a cut on my finger. i washed my cut afterwards, but it split open some more slightly. should i be worried about getting tetanus? i am not sure when my last vaccination was?

Accepted Answer

: There is no possibility of tetanus in this situation. Soap instantaneously kills tetanus bacteria and spores.

Question 6

if tetanus thrives in rust and can be got by small scratches, why weren't cases more than 1 in 100,000 in usa in 1930s? surely more than that got cuts

Accepted Answer

Deep wounds only: Tetanus never takes hold in superficial, pre-existing skin wounds. Typically it takes a deep wound, as with a contaminated nail or other sharp object; or a damaging skin wound with ground-in dirt, soil, gravel, etc. Also, the vast majority of the population has been vaccinated against tetanus, which also explains its rarity.

Question 7

cut finger on rust blade do i need a tetanus shot?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If it is over 5 years since your last booster, yes.

Question 8

do you think i'll need to get a tetanus booster if i swallowed something with rust on it?

Accepted Answer

Depends: on what you swallowed.  Was it sharp? dirty? in soil? old? metal?  Most things with rust on them should not be swallowed.  If you have not had a recent tetanus booster, I recommend you get one.

Question 9

i'm guessing i have tetanus now i washed my hands touched rusty hangers no rust on hands but have cuts possible unhealed on hand no shot. or just no?

Accepted Answer

No: not a set-up for tetanus infection, better get your shot for any future exposures/wounds, hopefully you won't have any, best wishes

Question 10

my daughter cut herself on a tin, small cut,  tin was clean no rust. does she need a tetanus injection?

Accepted Answer

Tetanus:  For a clean laceration, tetanus shot within 10 years is needed. For a dirty wound or object - tetanus shot within 5 years should be considered.

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Doctor answers about:

Could daily exposure to rust cause tetanus or some other type of illness

A member asked:

Could daily exposure to rust cause tetanus or some other type of illness?

A member asked:

Why does rust cause tetanus?

A member asked:

We noticed in our food that there was a screw with some rust in it. is it possible that i could get tetanus from it? does it survive in our stomachs?

A member asked:

Grazed my knee on a metal garden stake that had some rust on top. do i need a tetanus booster? did bleed and now stopped. not deep just skin off a small part. wound clean. been probably more than 10 years since last booster

A member asked:

I was cleaning rust off the bathtub and the rusty soap suds got into a cut on my finger. i washed my cut afterwards, but it split open some more slightly. should i be worried about getting tetanus? i am not sure when my last vaccination was?

A member asked:

If tetanus thrives in rust and can be got by small scratches, why weren't cases more than 1 in 100,000 in usa in 1930s? surely more than that got cuts

A member asked:

Cut finger on rust blade do i need a tetanus shot?

A member asked:

Do you think i'll need to get a tetanus booster if i swallowed something with rust on it?

A member asked:

I'm guessing i have tetanus now i washed my hands touched rusty hangers no rust on hands but have cuts possible unhealed on hand no shot. or just no?

A member asked:

My daughter cut herself on a tin, small cut, tin was clean no rust. does she need a tetanus injection?

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