I stepped on a long, dirty and rusty nail

[Moonbear]

OMG! I can't believe with everyone telling you the very same thing, you're still not at a doctor's, and I really can't believe your parents are actually refusing to take you! This is not something that should wait a day! Tetanus is a VERY serious, very life threatening, and very likely consequence of a deep puncture wound...you need a tetanus shot ASAP, because by the time symptoms show up, your life is already in danger. There are numerous other infections that can develop in such a wound too, and none of them are anything to just dismiss. If a puncture wound isn't cleaned out well and appropriate antibiotics applied, the outside can start healing and trap bacteria inside, which creates a nasty abcess. That's the sort of infection that can eat your foot away from the inside out, and is very painful. You need to get to an ER or emergency clinic (now that any doctor's office would be closed, those are your only options). DO NOT wait until morning.

If your parents are being stupid about this (sorry, but there's no other way to put that...same with your employer...anyone who would refuse to take a person with a puncture wound, especially when you know the implement you were punctured with was dirty, for medical treatment is acting very stupidly), call a taxi. Yes, it's going to be a late night going to the ER on a Friday night, but you've already waited too long.

 

[arildno]

I fully concur with Evo!
Now, you must call proper medical personell in your neighbourhood and tell them your situation.

You WILL be listened to, don't worry about that!
They will most likely want to speak with your parents afterwards,

IMPORTANT:
Take this phone call NOW, do NOT ask your parents' permission for that.
It is YOUR life that is in danger here.

 

[Moonbear]

Heartless, when did you last have a tetanus shot? If more than 5 years, you very likely need one now!

With a puncture wound, your tetanus shot needs to be within 1 to 2 years to not require a booster at the time of injury (and depending on the conditions, a doctor might decide you still need one if it was more recent, such as when it's a big, rusty, dirty nail that's likely to be harboring the tetanus bacteria, a very deep puncture wound, and a place that's hard to keep clean...like the bottom of a foot).

 

[Moonbear]

Over here the employer is liable, at the factory where i work trained first aiders first look at an injury, if they think it neccesary the injured person is taken to hospital, for an injury such as this there would be no question,
it would be hospital ASAP.

It's the same here. His employer was negligent not to send him for medical treatment immediately, and since the injury happened on the job, the employer will be required to pay for the medical treatment if it's not otherwise covered by worker's compensation insurance.

 

[arildno]

He has logged off now. I really hope we have gotten the message through, finally.

 

[Cyrus]

He's probably playing jump rope

 

[Pengwuino]

God he was being such a yomamma!

Then again i remember i had a strange feeling in my leg a few months ago and evo said i would be dead by tuesday. Jerks.

haha just kidding. I thought getting your butt to the doctor after even a flesh wound with a rusty nail was common sense...

 

[Moonbear]

I thought getting your butt to the doctor after even a flesh wound with a rusty nail was common sense...

It's pretty much the textbook example of how to get tetanus. I really do hope he's offline because he's going to get treatment. I'm worried about him to not have anyone he can turn to when he needs medical treatment and his parents refuse.

 

[arildno]

I hope 16 means
a) He still can get really scared
and
b) Is rebellious enough to take a phone call in spite of what his parents have told him.

 

[wolram]

God he was being such a yomamma!

Then again i remember i had a strange feeling in my leg a few months ago and evo said i would be dead by tuesday. Jerks.

haha just kidding. I thought getting your butt to the doctor after even a flesh wound with a rusty nail was common sense...

You must be a ghost, Evo is never wrong

 

[Pengwuino]

or b) rebellious enough to think that he's invincible...

 

[Evo]

You must be a ghost, Evo is never wrong

I was just pulling his leg.

 

[Pengwuino]

I was just pulling his leg.

 

[Moonbear]

or b) rebellious enough to think that he's invincible...

We're hoping that's NOT the case.

 

[Pengwuino]

We're hoping that's NOT the case.

Kids...

Should have told him "if someone shot you in the arm, would you walk it off?"

 

[Cyrus]

Normally if it were just pain when he walked, I would say ehhh big deal. But since he said it felt as bad as a broken foot (which he had before), then it's not a small cut.

 

[Moonbear]

Normally if it were just pain when he walked, I would say ehhh big deal. But since he said it felt as bad as a broken foot (which he had before), then it's not a small cut.

That's what worries me the most...the pain radiating to his toes. Could be nerve damage (though that would more likely be numbness than pain), or that he hit the bone with the nail, possibly even chipped the bone, but either way, it means it's a very deep wound, or that infection is already setting in for the inflammation to be spreading so far outward from the wound itself.

I really hope he's gone to get treatment. I'm going to worry about him all night now.

 

[Cyrus]

He's a tough kid, I'm sure he will be fine and go to the hospital.

I can't say the same about Pengwuino though. I think he goes to the hospital every time he makes cheese sticks.

I think they lock the doors when they see Pengwuino coming.

 

[wolram]

That's what worries me the most...the pain radiating to his toes. Could be nerve damage (though that would more likely be numbness than pain), or that he hit the bone with the nail, possibly even chipped the bone, but either way, it means it's a very deep wound, or that infection is already setting in for the inflammation to be spreading so far outward from the wound itself.

I really hope he's gone to get treatment. I'm going to worry about him all night now.

Years after i did the very same thing i can still feel the sensation of the
wound.

 

[arildno]

Years after i did the very same thing i can still feel the sensation of the
wound.

Yes, even if he doesn't need to amputate anything, I think a wound like that will leave some permanent weakness, at least.

 

[Pengwuino]

I think they lock the doors when they see Pengwuino coming.

And people wonder why the US doesn't have universal health care...

 

[Cyrus]

Because people like you abuse the system. Mr. 'I will google a fake ID and scam the hospital system"

 

[wolram]

Yes, even if he doesn't need to amputate anything, I think a wound like that will leave some permanent weakness, at least.

How do they amputate a limb whithout the patient bleeding to death? i mean it must take ages to saw through the bone, then they would have to seal every thing up some how.

 

[Cyrus]

pinch the leg above the cut. Stops the flow of blood past that point.

 

[arildno]

How do they amputate a limb whithout the patient bleeding to death? i mean it must take ages to saw through the bone, then they would have to seal every thing up some how.

Napoleon's field surgeon could saw through a man's thigh in the course of 10 minutes, I believe. I think that was a record of sorts.

 

[Pengwuino]

Napoleon's field surgeon could saw through a man's thigh in the course of 10 minutes, I believe. I think that was a record of sorts.

How careful were they?

 

[wolram]

Napoleon's field surgeon could saw through a man's thigh in the course of 10 minutes, I believe. I think that was a record of sorts.

I remember reading that, but 10 mins is still a bloody long time.

 

[arildno]

I agree, a long time. Bloodily so, I imagine.

 

[DaveC426913]

How careful were they?

Oh pretty careful. After four to six weeks of healing, they could wear a bikini and there wouldn't even be a visible incision line.

 

[Pengwuino]

Oh pretty careful. After four to six weeks of healing, they could wear a bikini and there wouldn't even be a visible incision line.

All in a battlefield eh? That Napolean...

 

[wolram]

I read that ships surgeons were quite nifty with saw as well, about the same period.

 

[slugcountry]

a katana could do it in less than a second =) they should have hired some "medical" samurai

 

[wolram]

a katana could do it in less than a second =) they should have hired some "medical" samurai

That would make sence, but can one of those things cut through a leg with one hit?

 

[slugcountry]

edit - just realized that story was irrelevant, anyhow for sure they can slice clean through a human torso from the shoulder to the opposing hip - don't know if a leg would be different though.

 

[heartless]

Thank you all for good words. I waited entire night and tried to meditate and pain has decreased and I can move my two little toes again. Let me check the look of a foot right now. BRB

Ok, the foot looks alright, as far no signs of any symptoms mentioned by arildno. Again thanks for listing them. The only place where it hurts me is the punctured wound. When I push my finger onto it, it hurts, and when I walk, it also hurts me when I tauten the tendons in right foot, so I must assume that they're a little domagad. Hopefully everything will go fine.

 

[arildno]

Thank you all for good words. I waited entire night and tried to meditate and pain has decreased and I can move my two little toes again. Let me check the look of a foot right now. BRB

It seems you have been damned lucky.
However, you need to see a doctor today.

 

[Astronuc]

Ibuprofen would be appropriate for the pain and inflamation, and aspirin might work, although it tends to affect coagulation of the blood.

Do keep the wound site clean.

Also, these days, I use a triple antibiotic like Neosporin (Neomycin sulfate, Bacitracin zinc, Polymyxin B Sulfate) on such wounds. Equate's "triple antibiotic ointment" is the same. http://www.neosporin.com/firstaid/neosporin.asp?sec=4&page=12

Benzoyl peroxide (anti-acne) topical ointment is also good near the wound site. It is bacteriostatic and I prefer to use it rather than antibiotics.

 

[siddharth]

Heartless, why don't you see a doctor.
Just to put it across clearly

GO SEE A DOCTOR[/color]

My mom's a doctor, and when I grew up, I've heard enough warnings on rusty nails, tetanus and DEATH.

Why don't you go see a doctor and take a booster shot. I don't think you've still understood how serious this is! Your life is at risk!

 

[Rach3]

Also, these days, I use a triple antibiotic like Neosporin (Neomycin sulfate, Bacitracin zinc, Polymyxin B Sulfate) on such wounds. Equates "triple antibiotic ointment" is the same.

I doubt that will help him much - the label says quite clearly "In case of deep or puncture wounds... consult a doctor." Which is what everyone's been telling him since yesterday.

 

[Lisa!]

Go to see a DOCTOR!

How can you be so ignorant of your health? Today 1 of my coworkers' 11 year old daughter passed away because of that sort of ignorance that some people have towards their health and their children's! It might seem fine now but how can you be sure that it wouldn't cause some problem for you in the future?

 

[Astronuc]

I doubt that will help him much - the label says quite clearly "In case of deep or puncture wounds... consult a doctor." Which is what everyone's been telling him since yesterday.

Yes, I quite agree - and I think he got the message.

 

[Rach3]

Ok, the foot looks alright, as far no signs of any symptoms mentioned by arildno. Again thanks for listing them.

No, no, NO! Do NOT try to self-diagnose yourself like this! Having no symptoms does NOT mean you are safe!

The first symptoms of tetanus - which you very likely will get, by the way - won't appear for a few days or weeks. It's too late by then! You would have a one in four chance of DYING - EVEN WITH TREATMENT! Do you understand this?

Read: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/696_tet.html

 

[Pengwuino]

I think the idea of DIEING[/size] seems to be lost on this kid.

 

[Lisa!]

Ok people don't waste yor time with a dead person. well I mean a person that ignorance of his own health would die or threaten his health too soon!

 

[Evo]

Thank you all for good words. I waited entire night and tried to meditate and pain has decreased and I can move my two little toes again. Let me check the look of a foot right now. BRB

Ok, the foot looks alright, as far no signs of any symptoms mentioned by arildno. Again thanks for listing them. The only place where it hurts me is the punctured wound. When I push my finger onto it, it hurts, and when I walk, it also hurts me when I tauten the tendons in right foot, so I must assume that they're a little domagad. Hopefully everything will go fine.

First, don't be sticking your finger inside the wound. You HAVE to be male.

Just because there aren't any outwardly visible signs of infection doesn't mean an infection isn't starting deeper inside the wound. If you don't go to the doctor, I will ban you because I don't want someone dying in my forum.

Go to the doctor, you don't know what kind of damage the nail did. This is too risky to see if you're one of the very rare people that don't develop a serious infection.

 

[Evo]

No, no, NO! Do NOT try to self-diagnose yourself like this! Having no symptoms does NOT mean you are safe!

The first symptoms of tetanus - which you very likely will get, by the way - won't appear for a few days or weeks. It's too late by then! You would have a one in four chance of DYING - EVEN WITH TREATMENT! Do you understand this?

Read: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/696_tet.html

Heartless READ THIS LINK!

 

[Pengwuino]

Kinda sad to think someones going to probably die on the forum.

This better not be some dipshoot joke like cyrus pulled on april fools.

Actually it BETTER be a dip**** joke like cyrus pulled on april fools

 

[Mattara]

Kinda sad to think someones going to probably die on the forum.

This better not be some dipshoot joke like cyrus pulled on april fools.

...

If worst comes to worst, there is always amputation. Heartless, try to google "amputation" and take a look at the pictures that come up. That is your future if you do not take our advice.

 

[Moonbear]

heartless, the problem is that whatever you do yourself is unlikely to get the wound cleaned all the way deep inside. Don't be fooled. Infection can take up to three days to really start setting in. Your topical antibiotics are not able to get all the way, deep inside the wound. You really should see a doctor today. If it's the cost, don't worry about it...that's your employer's responsibility since it was an on-the-job injury. Call your regular doctor. They might have Saturday hours, and this sort of injury is something they'll squeeze in an appointment for. If you get their answering service, leave a detailed message describing the injury...the answering service doesn't mean the doctor is completely unavailable, it means they screen the calls so the doctor is only disturbed by emergencies on his off hours...yours is still an emergency. If you can't get through to your doctor, and the hospital is too far for you to get to on your own, look in the phone book and see if there are urgent care clinics closer. Sometimes, in areas where there aren't nearby hospitals, or when they get really overcrowded often, smaller clinics open up for "urgent care" which means they can handle things that aren't likely to need hospitalization, such as wounds like yours (they can clean it properly, give you your tetanus booster, and a prescription for antibiotics that will make sure infection doesn't develop or spread, and can do an x-ray to see if you have any broken bones)...they're also good for things like broken bones (not compound fractures though, just simple fractures that can be easily reset and casted...if it needs surgery, they'll refer you on to the hospital anyway), and stitching up cuts that require stitches, and can treat minor illnesses, or determine if an illness is serious enough to require hospital treatment without having to sit in the ER for hours to be told you have the flu and go home and drink lots of fluids.

heartless, the other reason to go now is to simply have it documented by a doctor. Since your boss didn't have the sense or decency to get you to a doctor him/herself, you want something that shows you needed medical care for an on-the-job injury in case it causes more problems later. For example, if you get lucky and don't have any infection, and the hole itself heals up okay, but you have damage to a tendon or have chipped a bone and that leaves a weakness that later requires surgery, without any documentation that this was the result of a work-related injury, you'll be the one stuck with the bills later on, and may have problems getting insurance to pay because it's a "pre-existing condition" by then. But, if you have medical records that show you were treated now, and it was a job-related injury, even if you stop working for this employer, if this injury causes problems down the road, this employer is still the one responsible for your treatment. I know when you're 16, you really don't think about these things. Heck, people in their 20s and 30s often don't think of these things, but when you're still limping every time it rains when you're 40 or 50, you'll be thinking back to how foolish it was to not get that treated properly when you had the chance. I currently work with someone who is about 60 who has a lot of pain almost daily from old injuries he never got treated. He often comments, "When you're young and strong, you're not so careful. You don't think about when you get old."

 

[Pengwuino]

Well maybe if no ones taking the common sense approcah around him... maybe it wasnt even a penetrating wound and maybe just a ton of blunt trauma... somehow... hopefully.