Do you still need a skin test for tetanus allergy?

Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
Updated on November 02, 2024
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Under normal circumstances, if there is an allergy to tetanus, a skin test is not required. If tetanus vaccination is indeed necessary, human immunoglobulin can be injected, and this does not require a skin test. 250 units can be injected directly. Additionally, tetanus antitoxin desensitization injections can be used. The so-called desensitization injection involves diluting 1500 units of tetanus antitoxin into doses of 0.1 ml, 0.2 ml, 0.3 ml, and 0.4 ml, totaling 1 ml, and administering it in four doses, each 20 minutes apart. After the injections are completed, an observation period of 30 minutes is required to ensure there are no adverse reactions before the patient can leave.

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
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Can superficial wounds get tetanus?

Tetanus infection commonly occurs in deeper wounds, for instance, wounds that reach the subcutaneous fat layer, and in severe cases, even the muscle layer. Such deep wounds can create an anaerobic environment, and Clostridium tetani, an anaerobic bacterium, thrives in this oxygen-free environment. It can secrete various bacterial toxins, thereby causing tetanus in patients. Therefore, tetanus generally occurs in deep wounds. For superficial wounds, the chance of contracting tetanus is almost zero if the wound is properly disinfected locally.

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Written by Zhang Peng
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Symptoms of Tetanus

What are the symptoms of tetanus? Generally, the prodromal symptoms include overall weakness, headache, difficulty swallowing, or limited movement of the head and neck. If the condition progresses further, there may be typical symptoms such as difficulty opening the mouth or tense jaw muscles, leading to muscle spasms in the limbs, possibly causing spasms of the larynx, which can lead to breathing difficulties or even suffocation. Hence, it is a particularly severe manifestation. Some individuals may experience generalized tonic muscle spasms throughout the body, a milder manifestation with a typically longer incubation period. Therefore, in the treatment of tetanus, proactive active immunization should be pursued.

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How long can a tetanus shot last?

The duration of a tetanus shot can be considered from two different immunization processes. In the case of passive immunity, it typically lasts for a shorter duration. If tetanus antitoxin is administered, it generally lasts between two to four days, while tetanus immunoglobulin can last up to three weeks. After this period, the level of antibodies gradually decreases, and the body may no longer be protected. Therefore, a single use of tetanus antitoxin or immunoglobulin does not provide lasting immunity. The second method is what we commonly refer to as getting a tetanus vaccine, which is a process of active immunity. Usually, for active immunity, the tetanus bacterium is processed and made into a weakened vaccine for injection. Antibodies can be produced after about ten days, and within two to three months, the level of antibodies in the body gradually increases and remains at a high titer, providing immunity for up to about ten years.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
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Where to get a tetanus shot

Tetanus shots can be administered at the emergency department of a regular public hospital. Tetanus toxoid requires a skin test, and if the result is positive indicating an allergy, it cannot be administered; tetanus immunoglobulin does not require a skin test and can be used directly. Alcohol consumption should be avoided before receiving a tetanus shot, as it can affect the results of the skin test, leading to inaccurate indications for the tetanus injection, and impacting its effectiveness. Tetanus shots can be administered at the emergency department of a public hospital.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Can tetanus be fatal?

Firstly, severe tetanus, if not treated in time, can be fatal. When infected with tetanus, the early symptoms mainly include dizziness, headache, fatigue, decreased appetite, weak chewing, soreness or cramping of the jaw muscles, or muscle tension. Of course, when tetanus is severe, it can manifest as difficulty opening the mouth, risus sardonicus, opisthotonos, and stiff neck. In severe cases, there may be difficulty breathing, respiratory arrest, and even cardiac arrest. If in this situation, we do not promptly carry out emergency treatment, the tetanus patient can die.