Rusty Razor Blade?

[Thomas29]

I was desperate to snort something today and I decided to just use this rusty old dusty Razor Blade I found in my basement and it was not until after I did the deed that I realized I might get tetanus or something from doing this?

My question is if there was visible tiny bits of rust from the Razor blade in the powder I snorted should I go to the ER and get a tetanus shot?

 

[Beccalicious]

If you have had a tetanus shot in the last 5 years you don't need one. Even though the chances of getting tetanus from the razor are very slim, you should go to a doctor and get one anyway. That way if you step on a rusty nail or something in the future you definitely won't need a shot. It's always better to play it safe.

 

[Glitched]

As Bec said, it is probably best to go and get a tetanus jab from the doctors or hospital if you haven't had one in the last five years. You can just go in and ask for one I think, as in you don't need an excuse. If they do ask you why just say something like you have a new job in house rennovation and want to be careful in case you get old rusty nails and the like.

Saying that though if you have been vaccinated against tetanus within the past 5 years then don't worry about it. I can't think of anything other than tetanus that would or could cause harm to you, I'd be more worried about the impurities in the powder than the razor blade to be honest!

In future though, why not just use a credit / debit card or something like that?

 

[laCster]

just use your drivers license, gym card, credit/debit card, ect... the list goes on and on....anything that is plastic and slim will work...

 

[Thomas29]

I had a Tetanus shot about 6 years ago. I would really rather not have to waste my time and go get this shot unless absolutely needed. I mean is it really possible to get it from snorting a bit of rust I thought Tetanus must have no Oxygen exposure in order to survive meaning really only a wound with blood would cause it correct me if I am totally wrong?

 

[Jabberwocky]

i'd consult your doctor about the matter explaining you inhaled some rust dust. he'll know what to do more than likely.

 

[verso]

It's funny that this thread should come up; I have a rusty razor blade right here that I just used to break the tape on a few bags of dope. I thought about using it to chop up the lines, but I opted for a credit card instead...

I'm not sure exactly what the repercussions could be, but I don't want to find out, so my rule of thumb is that if the razor blade is too rusty, then I'm not using it to chop up my dope or anything else. It sucks, too, because razor blades rust here so, so quickly... I'll unwrap one, and it will have rusted over in three to five days.

 

[effie]

Tetanus bacteria tend to be found outside in the soil. Rusty things are a good place for them to live, but in theory a rusty item inside wouldn't be at high risk of carrying tetanus spores. You are right, when the spores transform into live baceria they dislike a lot of oxygen - generally they need to be innoculated into your tissue (so you need to be cut or have your skin pierced) as this allows them to enter the body and also provides a low-oxygen evnironment for them. I'm not sure if they can enter through mucous membranes, but you might have a small cut or lesion there and not realise..

Overall the risk is probably low, but at the same time it's relatively easy (if a little inconvenient) getting a tetanus shot and it's generally better to play it safe as you really don't want to get tetanus! I agree that the best thing is to speak to your doctor and see what they say.

 

[Allein]

I know this is an HR site and we should always go for the safe option, but if breathing in a bit of dust from rust off an old razor blade had any significant chance of giving you tetanus then half the car mechanics and exhaust center workers in the UK would be down with it on a regular basis.

I guess the mods have little choice but to go for the ultra safe advice but your going to have to be lottery winner type odds of you getting ill from tetanus from what you decribe.

 

[Doug2113]

just use your drivers license, gym card, credit/debit card, ect... the list goes on and on....anything that is plastic and slim will work...

+1 on that. My drivers license has a permanent imprint from me crushing down x tabs and chopping them up lol. It might take me 10-15 minutes for me to get my powder down to the molecular level I want it to be before it shoots up the dome, but it still works lol.

 

[effie]

I know this is an HR site and we should always go for the safe option, but if breathing in a bit of dust from rust off an old razor blade had any significant chance of giving you tetanus then half the car mechanics and exhaust center workers in the UK would be down with it on a regular basis.

I guess the mods have little choice but to go for the ultra safe advice but your going to have to be lottery winner type odds of you getting ill from tetanus from what you decribe.

Yeah, it is difficult - it is a low risk, as I said in my post, as tetanus bactera live in the soil generally. However, in the balance of things, getting a tetanus shot is easy where as tetanus can be fatal. A low risk with severe consequences generally warrants action in my opinion, especially if the action is a fairly easy thing to do. We don't know what the state of the basement is, if it's realy dusty and maybe the razor blade was next to some old garden furniture or something.. Giving advice over the internet is hard. Better to be safe than sorry in a situation like this I feel, or at least discuss it in person with a doctor

 

[verso]

I know this is an HR site and we should always go for the safe option, but if breathing in a bit of dust from rust off an old razor blade had any significant chance of giving you tetanus then half the car mechanics and exhaust center workers in the UK would be down with it on a regular basis.

Damn, that's a good point. But even still, I wouldn't want to chop up dope with a rusty razor blade.

 

[Thomas29]

Okay thank you for the advice everyone I think I will be getting a Tetanus Shot today just to be safe.

 

[effie]

Good call. Although atm has a good point, I really think it is better safe than sorry if you are at all concerned

I'm going to close this now as you've made your decision, but feel free to shoot me a pm if you have any queries or want it reopened for any reason. Good luck getting your shot!