by Donna S.
Member since:
May 25, 2008

I am scared I need your answers I steped on a nail...

June 07, 2008 10:06 PM EDT
views: 389 | comments: 58
Silly me walked outside barefoot and stepped on a nail. The nail went into the center of my foot about a half inch deep. I can get to the doctor by 9 am Sunday. What should I do now? It hurts alot.
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Comments: 58

WS R. Jun 7, 2008, 10:10pm EDT
Soak in in epsom salts? Or just warm water? I'm not sure. Maybe call Ask-A-Nurse if you have such a thing in your area.
Tiffany G. Jun 7, 2008, 10:10pm EDT
have you had a tetnus shot? if you have insurance maybe you could go to er or something!

Need to try to clean it good at least!
clean it well and bandage it. I wouldn't do anything else to it.
Take a pain reliever if you need it.

Are you up to date on tetnus? If so, there probably won't be much they will do at the Dr.
Wanda H. Jun 7, 2008, 10:24pm EDT
make sure it bleeds if you can, try to get it clean and put a clean bandage on it. If you haven't had a tetnus shot in 10 years you will need one. Until you see a doctor, put something like neosporin into the hole as best you can.
Ghostly Ghoul Jun 7, 2008, 10:29pm EDT
Wash it really well, put a clean bandage on it and take a couple advil. Just make sure to clean and change the bandage daily.
Nyota *Star* Jun 7, 2008, 10:30pm EDT
Sorry you had to go through this. Maybe soak it in water with Betadyne or iodine?
Um...you stepped on a nail and you're posting on Gather despite the pain. Now that's dedication!

I'd go with ice and tequila.
Marty S. Jun 7, 2008, 10:35pm EDT
tetanus shot will probbly be in order, clean it. Stay off of it, maybe over the counter pain reliever.
Marty S. Jun 7, 2008, 10:36pm EDT
you go girl.

We like the dedication.

Especially with triple points.
Suze P. Jun 7, 2008, 10:36pm EDT
Yikes! that had to hurt! definitely make sure it's clean and bandage it, and keep the bandage as clean as you can.. there's probably not much the doc will do for you besides give you a shot if you haven't had one.
Donna S. Jun 7, 2008, 10:38pm EDT
It only bled a little bit, I had to pull the nail out. I had a shot about 3 years ago because I got an infection from a paper cut and almost lost my finger. Thats why I am a fraid. I did wash the wound with a fresh bar of Dial soap and ran it under water. My doctors office is open 7 days a week and I plan on being there as they open. Is there anything else I should do? Thanks for any answers.
Donna S. Jun 7, 2008, 10:39pm EDT
I don't take ice in my tequila, I like it straight from the bottle.
Donna S. Jun 7, 2008, 10:42pm EDT
I have insurance and I do not want to spend the next 10 hours in the emergency room. Being here on Gather is less painful then that choice.
*LORA* M. Jun 7, 2008, 10:44pm EDT
May God be with you and give you peace about this
Donna S. Jun 7, 2008, 10:51pm EDT
Lora you rock thanks for your comment. Marty and Mjw thanks for making me laugh thru the pain.
Risa G. Jun 7, 2008, 10:55pm EDT
I agree with everyone, make sure you've had a tetanus shot in the last couple of years, make sure it is clean, as clean as you can get it and bandage it. Also take some pain killer, you are going to need it. I would also keep your foot up so that it doesn't blow up and make sure to get to the ER as fast as you can! Yikes, that is terrible! Feel better!
Ashley P. Jun 7, 2008, 10:57pm EDT
I agree with Priscilla, Tiffany, and the others. Clean it, ice it, go to doctor to have it checked. I pray that you will heal well.
Donna S. Jun 7, 2008, 11:04pm EDT
Thanks guys I have only been here for about a week and I just want everyone to know that you all are fantastic people. I live alone and my children live close by. But I wanted some answers and some reassurance and I got that from you all. THANK YOU!
One more thing do you think tequlia and vicadan mix well? (jk)
Ice for your foot, tequila to make you forgot about the ice on your foot.

Tequila goes with everything.
Shirley U Understand Me S. Jun 7, 2008, 11:10pm EDT
Yes, it needs to bleed. I didn't read though all of the comments but: after it bleeds, put hydrogen peroxide on it...it will most likely bublle....if there is dirt inside..
you can put alcohol on after to kill any remaining bacteria.
tetanus lives in soil where horses have been before, but doctors will give a shot for any puncture wound...just to be on the safe side....it doesn't mean that you will get tet. if you don't have the shot....only if the certain microbe lives there...and if the dirt goes in far enough to hit the blood stream....
Donna S. Jun 7, 2008, 11:11pm EDT
Whats in a Rusty Nail?
Shirley U Understand Me S. Jun 7, 2008, 11:11pm EDT
a tetanus shot is good for about 10 years, not two
Holli G. Jun 7, 2008, 11:11pm EDT
Yuck! I am so sorry!! Hopefully it will feel better and you can get some sleep tonight!
Amy H. Jun 7, 2008, 11:12pm EDT
Thank you for submitting your content to:
The group: We Comment Back
Donna S. Jun 7, 2008, 11:13pm EDT
What? what did you say Shirley? what about the blood stream? Don't make me drive to the ER tonite.
Ginger R. Jun 7, 2008, 11:17pm EDT
Clean it with peroxide and make sure you're up to date on your tetanus.
Kitty Lone Hawk Jun 7, 2008, 11:22pm EDT
Soak your foot in in epsom salts and warm water..actually as hot as you can stand it for about 20 minutes then dry it really well put an antibotic cream on it and bandage it for the night--if your medications [in case you're on any] allow you to take Advil take 3 of them and go to bed......if when you wake up in the moring and your foot is still hurting and or you have red streaks running up your ankle or the area is swollen and red, plus hot to the touch get to an ER and have them give you a tetnus shot to prevent blood poisioning from the nail...especially if it's a rusty, dirty nail.....clean nail not so bad.....either way make sure you're up to date on your tetnus shot first and foremost and that it doesn't swell and streak red up your ankle. If in the AM none of the above has happened you're fine and just keep changing the bandage until the pain is completely gone, then you can go about as normal.....WITH shoes ON....LOL.
Miz Lynn aka/BooBoo Jun 7, 2008, 11:25pm EDT
Ouch! Haven't done that since I was a kid..all the above advice is great.
Shirley U Understand Me S. Jun 7, 2008, 11:28pm EDT
it's only really dangerous for tetanus if: it is really deep, dirty and you haven't had a shot in the last ten years. You said you had one a few years ago,..you should be okay...I said it is dangerous if the microbes that cause tetanus get into the blood stream......I was trying to be reassuring.....not alarming....
but I wouldn't mix pain killers with any alcoholic drinks....that can be worse than a nail wound...
when i was a kid, we were always stepping on nails and never went to the dr...my mom cleaned them with peroxide and put a clean bandage on...but she made sure they bled first....
Recipe for a Rusty Nail

* 1 1/2 oz Scotch
* 1/2 oz Drambuie
* 1 twist of Lemon peel

Mixing instructions:

Pour the Scotch and Drambuie into an old-fashioned glass almost filled with ice cubes. Stir well. Garnish with the lemon twist.

Special Donna edition- forget the lemon twist and garnish with vicodan
Tory H. Jun 8, 2008, 12:05am EDT
Not sure what exactly to do beyond making sure you're up to date on tetanus shots...

Good luck!
Glome . . . Jun 8, 2008, 12:50am EDT
You got great answers. Soak it and use antibiotic cream but you NEED to get that shot. I'm so sorry for the pain and fear.
Donna S. Jun 8, 2008, 1:01am EDT
Thanks everyone!
Donna S. Jun 8, 2008, 1:03am EDT
MJ W my new bff! I love ya!
Dove D. Jun 8, 2008, 1:03am EDT
sorry to hear this... I have done this too, not fun
Donna S. Jun 8, 2008, 1:04am EDT
Going to bed now, i promise I will check on here in the a.m. after I go to the doctors.
Donald H. Jun 8, 2008, 7:22am EDT
Puncture wounds need to bleed to clean them out. wash the foot with a good warm soapy water solution, treat with an antiseptic such as bacitracin bandage & if pain or swelling occurs see a doctor. if it has been more than 5 years since your ast tetanus shot get one!
LaRue B. Jun 8, 2008, 9:08am EDT
Listen to Donald. He's got the right answers. That what grandma did when I stepped on a nail as a kid. I didn't get the tetanus shot though. I don't know if I had had one by that time.
Donna S. Jun 8, 2008, 10:22am EDT
Gather round boys and girls...I just got back from the doctor. I was put on antibiotics and pain pills. They did an xray no bones were hurt. Did you know that it is better to ( if you have the choice ) step on a nail barefoot. If you have shoes on then all the crap that you step on can be introduced to the puncture wound. Thank God I was barefoot.
So if this ever happens to you or one that you love let the wound bleed to clean out the injury, then wash your hands really well ( I opened up a new bar of dail soap to use) Next thing to do is wash the area under running water for at least five mins. Next thing is to elevate and ice the area. Anti-inflamatory meds can be taken if you are able to do so. Watch the area for signs of infection, which would be redness, and red streaks. Make sure that you have had a tetanus shot.
Bill W. Jun 8, 2008, 12:00pm EDT
Donna - You also stepped on a hornet's nest of really great advice. Follow it! My nail puncture was on an old barn board covered with dead flies. My sock was pushed up into the hole. Now don't you feel better? The Doc did the stuff recommended above and said not do that again.

Rest easy and take another of those tequellas
Donna S. Jun 8, 2008, 12:11pm EDT
No. Bill I have switched to drinking Rusty Nails.
Donna S. Jun 8, 2008, 12:26pm EDT
Ohh! and Bloody Marys
This will help get you off your foot. Try this recipe-
Off your ass in a glass

* 1 shot Vodka
* 1/2 shot Gin
* 2 oz Gatorade
* 4 oz Crown Royal
* 1 tsp Salt
* 2 ml Lemon juice
* 1/2 can Beer


No organized mixing require. Put all ingredients in a glass, stir, and drink straight. Then you had better lie down.

http://www.alcoholicdrinks.net/Off-your-ass-in-a-glass-Drink-Recipe-1171.htm

Who needs prescription drugs? This recipe would probably be good for washing your foot after such an injury too. I just love a cure all.
Donna S. Jun 8, 2008, 1:09pm EDT
Note to self....shopping list.....vodka, gin, crown, beer, new ass, bunny slippers, trashy mags, darvacet, Janis Joplin and Jimmy Hendrix CD's......am I missing something?
Francesca V. Jun 8, 2008, 1:26pm EDT
Get a tetanus shot and here's a tip -- got to a CVS or a Walgreen's where they have the 15 minute clinics with a nurse practitioner. Voila, all done.
Marge H. Jun 8, 2008, 6:33pm EDT
So sorry to hear about the nail. It sounds like you got some good advice from everyone here and I'm glad that they doc said everything looks OK. Hope it heals quickly.
Donna S. Jun 8, 2008, 8:50pm EDT
thanks
Jill~Sexy Back~ V. Jun 8, 2008, 9:24pm EDT
thanks for posting to It's 3X the points, 3X the rewards!
Dorine H. Jun 8, 2008, 10:35pm EDT
Surely you went to a regular 24/7 emergency room at the nearest hospital. You are crazy if you didn't do otherwise. I cannot imgine why you think no doctor was available until Sunday at 9. Orlando isn't Podunk. Just call 911. They will take care of you.
Donna S. Jun 9, 2008, 6:55am EDT
Dorine in less than 12 hours I was at my own doctors. I did speak to him on the phone.
Nyota *Star* Jun 10, 2008, 2:26pm EDT
glad you are okay and let us know
Donna S. Jun 13, 2008, 1:20pm EDT
Update my foot is fine but then I fell down ( no not drunk ) and hurt my arm.
Barbara B. Jun 13, 2008, 2:15pm EDT
When us kids stepped on a nail rusty or not Momma made it bleed
out thenw ahsed it with Felsnaptha bar soap. Dried it off then put
a piece of salt pork to cover the hole wrapped it up tight and left it
on for 12 hours. We never got an infection!! This was what Indians
always did if anyone stepped on anything that caused puncture.
Donna S. Jun 14, 2008, 9:35pm EDT
Thanks for sharing that with us Barbara very interesting. Any more cures that you would like to share? Maybe you should do an article on them?
Randall C. Jun 20, 2008, 8:57pm EDT
yep I think Shirley got the right one. she must be a nurse. If you have a cotton wrap, you should use that instead of a bandage. let it get some air...
Kerrell g. Jun 28, 2008, 9:59pm EDT
OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
Donna S. Jun 28, 2008, 11:18pm EDT
Big K google "the grape lady" then get back to me its on utube

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