Whether tetanus is needed for a rusty iron wound depends on the condition of the wound. If the wound is narrow and deep, it is needed; if the wound is superficial, it is not necessarily needed.
1. Narrow and deep wounds: Tetanus bacillus is an anaerobic bacterium widely distributed on the surface of soil, rusty ware, etc. It reproduces in large quantities in an anoxic environment and thus produces exotoxin with pathogenicity. Therefore, if rusty iron scratches, especially the wound breach is small, deep, necrotic tissue or blood clots in the wound, etc. will form a hypoxic environment, easy to tetanus infection.
2. Superficial wounds: For superficial and small wounds, use tap water or well water to wash away the mud and ash outside the wound. If possible, apply iodine and other antiseptic solution to the wound, then cover the wound with a clean cloth and gently bandage it before going to the hospital for further treatment, which does not necessarily require tetanus.
If you are scratched by rusty iron, you should go to the hospital as soon as possible, and the doctor will decide whether you need to take a tetanus shot, so as not to delay your condition.