What should you know about a tetanus wound?

Tetanus bacteria can enter damaged skin, especially through punctures, crush injuries, burns, bites, or wounds containing soil, dust, saliva, or dead tissue. The wound itself does not diagnose tetanus. Risk assessment considers how the injury occurred and whether your vaccination protection is documented.

Tetanus affects muscles and the nervous system through a toxin. Early symptoms may not be visible at the injury site, so waiting for jaw stiffness or spasms is not a safe way to decide whether prevention is needed.

Wash your hands, rinse the wound under clean running water, and gently clean around it. Remove only loose, visible dirt. Apply light pressure for bleeding and cover the area with a clean dressing. Avoid pouring harsh chemicals into tissue or probing a deep puncture.

Contact a clinician promptly if the wound is deep, dirty, caused by a bite or burn, contains a foreign object, or your vaccination record is incomplete or unavailable. The clinician may recommend a tetanus-containing vaccine or other care based on the injury and your history. See [Tetanus Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/tetanus-vaccination/).

Seek urgent care for uncontrolled bleeding, loss of feeling or movement, exposed bone or tendon, a deeply embedded object, severe swelling, or a wound from an animal or human bite. Get emergency help for breathing or swallowing difficulty, severe stiffness, repeated muscle spasms, confusion, or collapse.

Ask which wound category applies, whether you need a booster or additional treatment, how to dress the injury, and what signs of infection or tetanus should prompt a return visit. Tell the clinician when your last tetanus dose was given if you know.