Sometimes a puncture wound caused by a nail needs medical attention right away. If any of the following are true, call your healthcare provider immediately:
- The puncture wound is large or deep, even if it’s not bleeding a lot.
- The nail that caused the puncture wound is rusty.
- The nail is stuck in your foot (do not remove it yourself).
- The wound looks infected, such as warmth and redness, swelling, a red streak, or pus in the area.
- You haven’t had a tetanus shot or booster in the last 10 years.
- You are immunocompromised.
If either of the following applies, call 911:
- You have lost feeling in the injured foot.
- The bleeding is severe and won’t stop (for example, if it’s still bleeding after applying pressure for 10 minutes).