Cut on foot from rusty nail

[Simplemind]

Dd unfortunately was playing barefoot on a beach in Cornwall this afternoon and kicked some sand which had a rusty nail in it. Thankfully the cut wasn't deep. Poured some bottled water on the cut then was able to carry her to the car where I wiped with a anti bac wipe and then sprayed with savlon before putting a plaster on it. Should I be worried about tetanus. She is 5 and had her preschool jabs last year. Will this have tetanus? Travelling home in car now so can't check her record book for a few hours.

Routine jabs in the UK include Tetanus, but I think she might need a booster if she hasn't had 5 yet.

nhs advice Tetanus immunisation not complete until children have their final set of jabs at high school. Probably best to take her for a booster.

Oh no travelling home on motorway. Will the morning be ok ? Cut looks very small now .... But will take her to AndE if you think?

I'd ring 111 and ask. But they have always sent me to a&e, whatever i have rung them about.

If you are out and going to be home late anyway I think I would take her to A&E now and get the jab. Otherwise you'll have to get it sorted tomorrow and if they do want to do anything else re antibiotics it would be better done tonight. Everything you've done is absolutely right re cleaning it but the point about nails is it can go far in and your savlon etc won't touch it.

Thanks really appreciate everyone's advice. Cut was on big toe so wasn't deep just sliced across and didnt bleed for more than a few seconds so worried they will think I am wasting their time. Nearly home so will call oh's

If it's sliced rather than penetrated I think tomorrow would be ok. Sorry misunderstood what you might when you said it was small cut - assumed that meant puncture wound.

Sorry v tired driving back from a wet week in a tent! My description not the best. Had another look and taken plaster off. Only tiny amount of blood on plaster so don't think it can be that deep. Will call GP in the morning. They 4 jabs she has had so far must offer some protection?

I honestly don't think she will need a booster for this if it was a slice that you managed to clean but do give them a ring this morning. They won't think you're wasting their time. It does say on the NHS website:

"You should contact your GP or visit your nearest minor injuries unit if you're concerned about a wound, particularly if:
the wound is deep
the wound contains dirt or a foreign object
you haven't been fully vaccinated against tetanus
you're not sure whether you've been fully vaccinated against tetanus
Your GP can assess the wound and decide if you need any treatment or need to go to hospital."

Just to say, you don't get tetanus from 'rusty' nails specifically. They are just associated with it because of accidents involving old nails lying around in farm yards with lots of tetanus spores. A deep puncture wound from a nail provides an ideal environment for tetanus.