HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

Is it possible to get tetanus if a flake of rust touches your eye?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

No: The tetanus is carried in rusty nails, etc. by the spores of the organism which are usually found in contaminated soil and especially around farm animals. Even with contamination, the spores must enter the body and a flake of rust in the tears will not do this. You are not at risk.

Dr Beck agreed

Answered 7/31/2018

3.6k views

Thank

Related Questions

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 doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

If I scratch myself with a something rusty and there is no blood and I don't have tetanus shot would I get tetanus? Or no rust where I scratched

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Should i get a tetanus shot? I've been getting small cuts/ scratches from metal lately i checked and i don't think there was rust. I am a hypochondriac

4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Just had to get 2 stitches by eyebrow. Fixing wheelchair when piece came off and hit eye. Have antibiotic just on casedo indeed a tetanus shot?

5 doctors weighed in across 3 answers

A member asked:

Can I get tetanus by getting dirty water with animal feces in my eye? A few days after, ive got headaches and jaw stiffness, on Jan 13th i was given the tetanus toxoid tho till now i am still feeling unwell with the same symptoms before the vaccine?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

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?
How likely is it for me to get tetanus if I gave myself a minor cut while using a nail clipper that has a bit of rust on it? I got my previous tetanus shot 11 and a half years ago and I rinsed the minor cut with flowing water
Do you think I'll need to get a tetanus booster if I swallowed something with rust on it?
Will I get tetanus?My kitchen knife poked me in the hand while I was cleaning meat.Had little rust on it from being in dish drainer,Never been outside
If you got rust in a scratch that didnt bleed can u get tetanus? If so how long does it take to show symptoms? No booster since childhood

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.