What should you know about an infected tetanus wound?

Tetanus is caused by a toxin made by bacteria that can enter through a break in the skin. Puncture wounds, burns, crush injuries, and wounds containing soil, saliva, or dead tissue deserve particular attention. The wound may not look severely infected, because tetanus is a nervous-system illness rather than ordinary pus-forming wound infection. Warning symptoms can include jaw stiffness, difficulty swallowing, painful muscle tightening, or spasms that spread beyond the injured area. Symptoms may appear after the injury rather than immediately.

Wash your hands, rinse the wound under clean running water, and gently remove visible dirt if it comes away easily. Cover it with a clean dressing. Do not seal a deep, dirty, or puncture wound at home, and do not put household powders, oils, or other unclean substances into it. Contact a clinic promptly for wound assessment and a review of your tetanus vaccination history. A clinician may clean damaged tissue and decide whether a tetanus vaccine or additional protection is needed.

Seek urgent medical care for jaw stiffness, trouble swallowing, breathing difficulty, repeated muscle spasms, confusion, or rapidly worsening pain and swelling. Immediate assessment is also appropriate for a deep puncture, a bite, a burn, a crush injury, a wound with embedded material, or bleeding that does not settle with firm pressure. Fever, spreading redness, foul drainage, or red streaks can signal a separate wound infection and also need prompt review.

Ask whether the wound needs professional cleaning, whether your tetanus protection is up to date, and whether any tissue should be removed. Tell the clinician when and how the injury happened, what contaminated it, and whether you can recall your previous vaccinations. Ask which changes should bring you back for review.