How painful is a tetanus shot?

Written by Zhang Da Wei
General Surgery
Updated on June 22, 2025
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The degree of pain from a tetanus shot depends on the method used. If it refers to the tetanus antitoxin, it requires a skin test, which typically involves some pain due to the skin being pierced. However, if the injection is administered into the muscle, the pain is generally less severe because it is given into a thick layer of muscle, making the pain less noticeable. The level of pain also varies from person to person, as everyone has different pain thresholds. Therefore, the degree of pain can differ significantly, so it should be judged according to an individual's constitution and personal sensitivity to pain. If one experiences pain from a tetanus shot, it might reach about a level 7 on the pain scale.

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Written by Gao Tian
General Surgery
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How long does a tetanus shot last?

About how long a tetanus shot lasts, it generally lasts from half a year to a year without any issues. So, if there is a wound, it is crucial to go to a surgical department for wound debridement and disinfection as soon as possible, especially after rinsing with hydrogen peroxide, keep the wound clean and dry. Secondly, change dressings. Generally, if it is not an infected wound, change the dressing every 1 to 2 days, and if infected, change the dressing daily. If necessary, take oral antibiotics to prevent infection. If you are not allergic to cephalosporins, it is usual to take some cephalosporin-based medications. Afterwards, be mindful of your diet and avoid spicy and irritating foods, and have regular check-ups. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Liu Huan Huan
General Surgery
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How long does the tetanus skin test take?

If a patient is injured and the injury is relatively deep, it is recommended to visit the hospital to receive a tetanus antitoxin injection to prevent tetanus infection. Before injecting the tetanus antitoxin, a skin test must be conducted to prevent allergic reactions, including severe complications such as anaphylactic shock. A common method for the skin test is to dilute 0.1ml of tetanus antitoxin in 0.9ml of saline to make a solution and take 0.05ml of it for a skin prick test on the forearm. The observation time for this test is generally 30 minutes, to monitor for any positive reactions at the site of the test.

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Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
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What should you avoid eating when you have tetanus?

A tetanus shot involves injecting tetanus antitoxin into the muscle, which is a form of passive immunity. It is usually administered when there is a wound on the patient's body and a suspected infection by tetanus bacillus, effectively preventing the severe complications caused by the toxins released by the tetanus bacillus. Since there is a wound on the body, a light diet is generally required during the eating process. It is necessary to avoid spicy and irritating foods, avoid drinking alcohol, and avoid smoking. Consuming spicy and irritating foods, including alcohol, can lead to inflammation and infection of the wound, and may even cause local blood vessels at the wound site to dilate, worsening the patient's condition.

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Written by Xing Wen Jun
General Surgery
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Cut by scissors on the hand requires a tetanus shot.

If the patient's hands were cut by scissors, first check if the scissors were rusty. If the scissors are rusty and the wound is small and deep, there's a higher risk of tetanus infection. It is advised that the patient should first rinse the wound under running water with soap repeatedly, then use hydrogen peroxide for local rinsing and scrubbing, followed by applying sterile iodophor for disinfection, and then cover with sterile dressing. It is recommended that the patient receive an injection of tetanus antitoxin within 24 hours for proactive prevention. If the scissors were made of stainless steel and relatively clean, and the wound is shallow, local treatment may suffice, and tetanus antitoxin injection generally isn't necessary. Additionally, during recovery, the patient should change dressings timely to prevent infection or the possibility of the wound splitting. If necessary, after cleaning and disinfecting, active suturing treatment should be considered.

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Written by Gao Tian
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What should I do if the tetanus skin test is positive?

For patients, what to do if there is a positive tetanus skin test? Generally if it's positive, you can undergo desensitization injections or use anti-protein drugs. Therefore, in such cases, getting a tetanus injection is also a preventative measure against infection. It's recommended to visit a surgeon to complete relevant examinations and then decide on the next steps. At the same time, thorough debridement and disinfection should be carried out. Afterwards, rest, pay attention to diet by avoiding spicy and irritating foods, maintain cleanliness and dryness, change dressings regularly, and have regular follow-ups. With proper control, recovery is possible.