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

Two weeks ago i was working with old rusty nails and they touched an open wound on my hand. is it to late to get a tetanus shot?

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Probably not: If you had a shot as a boy, all you need is a wound booster.

Dr Hardin agreed

Answered 10/4/2016

5.3k views

Thank

No: If it has been more than 5 years since your last tetanus shot, you should get a booster. A tetanus vaccine is effective for 10 years for a clean wound and 5 years for a dirty wound. A rusty nail would be "dirty" and you should have a tetanus shot again.

Dr Hardin agreed

Answered 12/19/2017

5.3k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

While our 3 month old dog and I were playing last night. Her tooth caight me and cut the skin very close to my index fingers nail. About 1cm long and not wide or deep. Dog has had all her injections to date. Should I get a tetanus shot? Had one 2012.

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Hi our 4 mnth old german shephard pup is in a biting phase, bit my daughter twice. On her hand and foot skin grazed but bleeding a wee bit. Should we get a tetanus shot for her ?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Do i need a tetanus shot? I scraped my hand on some rusty looking metal, but i think i had a tetanus shot a year or two ago. Do i need another shot now?

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

My 3 year old son cut his foot on a rusty nail. Should he get a tetanus injection now?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

19 Years old, and had tetanus shot 8 years ago. Just got inch long scratch from rusty nail that barely penetrated skin still had blood. What to do?

6 doctors weighed in across 3 answers

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:

Will i get tetanus - last shot 3 years ago - puncture wound - rusty nail in garden?
My last tetanus shot was in 2010. I punctured my foot on a rusty nail over 48hours. Will i get tetanus and when will it start effecting me :s?
I have a puncture wound from a rusty nail and can't remember when my last tetanus shot was. It has been very well cleaned. Advice?
I stepped on an old nail 2 days ago and it punctured my foot now the top of my foot is red and swollen and sore. Idklast tetanus shot. Is it too late?
Stepped on rusty nail, there is very small puncture wound, and the skin is red. it didnt bleed at all nor does the wound even hurt. I had a tetanus shot 10 yrs ago, and a booster 6 yrs ago. Is that enough?

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.