Day before yesterday I accidentally stepped on an exposed two inch rusted nail that went through the sole of my shoe into my foot. The hole bled for a little bit and then I went to the hospital and took a tetnus shot. My foot is recovering and there is a swollen lump on my arm where the tetnus shot was given. Is a swelling normal in case of a tetnus shot? Any further suggestions for my foot? Am I still having any harmful or dangerous infections? Thank you.
Hi. Thanks for your query and an elucidated history. The swelling in a spot of tetanus shot can cause a swelling because of few reasons. Local reaction of the contents of the injections as this is a toxic / local inside bleeding (this is a blind procedure) / infection ... So the best way to have a good antibiotic cover along with anti-inflammatory medicines which will help for the injection site as well as the site of nail injury. If you want immediate immunity against tetanus, it is given by an Injection called ATS (anti-tetanus serum). The present dose works as a booster only, and is good if you are already immunized in the past.