5 year old daughter received a gash on her elbow when she scraped it on a nail poking out from the wall.?

She was using an inlaws bathroom when she brushed against the wall and a nail protruding struck her and left a gash almost an inch long. It is not a straight gash....sort of jagged a bit. It bled enough to soak a bandage and then it clotted I assume shortly after. There were no necessities to do any thorough cleansing except a stream of water and a bandage. My neice did that and I did not find out until I got back to pick them up an hour later. I took her home immediately, cleaned with water and soap and then put peroxide on it and antibiotic cream and then bandages. The nail did not appear to be rusty but it is an old house and I imagine the nail has been there for quite some time. She has had all boosters for tetnus. Do I need to relay this incident to her pediatrician? I probably will but any advice what I need to look for in the next 24 hours until I can reach her doctor?5 year old daughter received a gash on her elbow when she scraped it on a nail poking out from the wall.?
It is good that you are concerned but it really probably isn't a problem. It will heal, and if there are any signs of infection then take her to a doctor. I've had nail cuts before and even though they might be deep they heal in time and don't cause any trouble besides changing the bandages.5 year old daughter received a gash on her elbow when she scraped it on a nail poking out from the wall.?
You did exactly right - good for you, Mama!


Check with pediatrician in AM re: tetanus shot.


Change bandaid and antibiotic twice a day, and keep an eye on it - to be sure there is no infection.


Signs of infection:


redness


swelling


increased heat at cut site


discharge other than clear - white, yellow, green
You can tell your doctor. Most doctors probably have never even seen a case of tetnus. The odds of her having a tetnus infection are very low.
Haha
You need to take her to the Doctor ASAP! Just to be safe!
Tetanus shots are good for 10 years (and since she is only 5....she is fine). It is not the rust that causes tetanus (that is just rust like on any iron metal), it is that nails used to be found in soil and soil possibly contains tetanus bacteria spores (they are found in cow, horse etc poop), and the wound from the nail allowed the spores to enter. This is one reason why tetanus is pretty rare these days. (that and the fact that so many are immunized). Just regular wound care is fine (although you can certainly call the pediatrician) you do not need an ER unless it infects.