Stepped on a nail in the coop

[CrowsCaw]

So i slipped in mud in the coop and a nail went about a half an inch into my foot... i have a tetanus shot but should i be worried about infections and going to the hospital? Lol its agony to walk right now and my foot is red and swollen

 

[sourland]

I'd be tempted to pay a visit to my family doctor. Puncture type wounds can lead to nasty infections. Good luck.

 

[Godsgrl]

Sorry about that, I know it had to hurt something terrible. Other than a tetanus shot, there is nothing the dr can do for you with a puncture. If it starts looking infected, they will prescribe abx, but otherwise, the ER will just send you home. Try soaking your foot in warm water with epsom salts in it, a couple times a day. Keep it bandaged and clean. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

If you are certain you are up to date on tetanus, I vote for the hot epsom salts soaks too. At least 3 per day. Any infectious swelling or signs of worsening, see the doc.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

And really, since we are practicing medicine without a license, call your doctor, tell him/her what happened and verify that what we said is ok. They will check your tetanus record.

 

[CrowsCaw]

Well they told me to come.. so im sittin in the er... my feet is really red with red lines

 

[MamaRoo]

*imagining that conversation*

"so I stepped on this nail in the chicken coop"
"no, coop, but there's poop there too. Anyway, I didn't know what to do so I asked on the chicken forum"
"no, I didn't ask for a chicken, the chicken FOR_UM. Anyway, they said I should soak my foot..."

 

[Demosthine]

Well they told me to come.. so im sittin in the er... my feet is really red with red lines

Well, I'm obviously too late on this one, but...

The tetanus shot aside, they won't do squat for that type of wound. If you get a semi-sadistic Doctor, he "may" use a large swab and thoroughly clean out the wound, but that's pretty unlikely. if you can handle the pain, you could do the same with a sterile swab available at your local drug store, depending on the size of the nail and hole, of course. Use hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, or iodine to help disinfectant it. All are recommended for topical use, but I would make the exception here because of the coop.

Like mentioned, a good foot soak twice a day will be recommended and to keep it very clean. Use some sort of vasoline, salve (Watkins Petro-Carbon Salve is amazing!) or *raw* honey (strong antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties) to cover and seal the puncture. Try to get the salve inside the wound tract. It needs to heal from the inside out, so avoid letting a scab develop. The soaks help with this, too. Cover it with a bandage if you wear shoes, but you want it exposed to air as much as possible.

Keep us updated.

Oh, and the disclaimer... I am not a doctor yada yada yada...

 

[Demosthine]

*imagining that conversation*

"so I stepped on this nail in the chicken coop"
"no, coop, but there's poop there too.  Anyway, I didn't know what to do so I asked on the chicken forum"
"no, I didn't ask for a chicken, the chicken FOR_UM.  Anyway, they said I should soak my foot..."

Now that was hysterical!!!

 

[newfoundland]

Any wound that has red lines leading from it needs urgent attention. This is a sign that a potentially serious infection has taken hold. It should never be ignored or treated at home. IV pennicillin or similar may be needed. I once worked alongside a young man who had a sore finger. I saw red lines leading up his arm and advised him to go to ER. He nearly lost his arm because of the infection. Never ignore red lines leading away from a sore or cut!