Jaw lock (lockjaw) is a spasm that occurs in the masseter muscle (jaw muscle), caused by a tetanus infection. Tetanus is a serious disease, and in all cases requires professional medical help. In addition to following the advice of your doctor, you can apply several strategies to manage pain and jaw muscle spasms.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Seeking Medical Help
Step 1. Understand the meaning of jaw lock
Jaw lock is a colloquial term used to describe spasms of the masseter muscle (jaw muscle) caused by a tetanus infection. Tetanus is a bacterial infection that causes muscle spasms and is painful. There is no cure, and about 10 to 20% of cases of tetanus end in death. Therefore, the key to overcome this is to give a tetanus vaccine.
- Now almost everyone gets the tetanus vaccine as a child, so the disease is becoming less common. The validity period of this vaccine is 10 years, so after this time has elapsed, a person must get the vaccine again to remain immune to tetanus.
- Tetanus infection is not passed from person to person; but it is transmitted through wounds, usually deep wounds that allow bacteria in the environment to enter the body. Therefore, when a patient is admitted to the ER due to a deep wound, the hospital will inquire about the status of their tetanus vaccination.
- Usually the symptoms of tetanus begin to appear about a week after being infected with the bacteria. Apart from spasms in the jaw muscles (symptoms of a locked jaw), other symptoms of tetanus include fever, headache, body sweating, restlessness, difficulty swallowing, irritability, and strange facial expressions caused by muscle spasms and stiffness.
Step 2. Seek medical help immediately
You should immediately go to the doctor when you are first exposed to the potential for tetanus bacteria. This usually occurs when you have a deep wound that could lead to a tetanus infection, and at that point you will be asked by the ER doctor when was the last time you were given a tetanus preventative immunization. If you have not been immunized in the last 10 years, your doctor will give you an injection of tetanus immune globulin followed by a vaccine.
- Tetanus immune globulin drugs are given by intramuscular injection. This injection contains Immunoglobulin G, which is an antibody that helps the body get rid of all the toxins produced by the bacteria that cause tetanus. Giving this drug will boost your immune system, so your body will be able to fight off infections.
- The dose given for children and adults is 250 units, which is given by intramuscular injection. A local anesthetic may be added to the injection to relieve pain. This medication should always be administered by a medical professional.
- Your wound will also be cleaned by a doctor thoroughly. The doctor will also remove any foreign objects that may be left in the wound, to minimize the chance of getting a tetanus infection.
- Be careful if you have symptoms of a locked jaw, because this means you are late for treatment. However, the doctor will still give the injection even though the injection should be given early (this can still be effective even if it is late).
Step 3. Try using drugs
If you have a tetanus infection, you cannot treat it at home. This condition requires treatment in a hospital. Muscle relaxants such as Carisoprodol, and sedatives are commonly used to relieve muscle spasms in the jaw and other parts of the body.
- Neuromuscular blocking drugs are also useful for treating muscle spasms. These medications include pancuronium, vecuronium, and baclofen.
- Your breathing and heart rate will be affected by muscle spasms and the use of sedatives. You may have to be on a ventilator while you are in the hospital. In severe cases, you may need to be admitted to the ICU. The facilities in this room are suitable to support the treatment of severe cases because vital body indicators such as breathing and heart rate can be monitored continuously until you finally recover.
Method 2 of 2: Using Home Remedies to Treat Symptoms
Step 1. Try doing a massage
Massage done to the masseter muscle and jaw joint can help relieve pain. Apply light pressure and massage to the jaw muscles to relieve pain.
Rub your cheeks with your middle and index fingers to find the soft spots on your jaw. At the location you have specified, massage with your fingers in a circular motion for about 30 seconds. Be careful not to press too hard. Apply light, painless pressure to relax your jaw muscles
Step 2. Glue the hot object
Heat is ideal for soothing muscles, and can help get rid of cramped muscles by increasing blood flow to the area where it is applied. Place a heating pad or bottle filled with hot water on the desired area. Place the hot object on the affected area for about 30 minutes.
Be careful not to use materials that are too hot as they can scald your skin
Step 3. Cool the affected area
Using an ice pack (ice pack) along with a hot object is a very powerful treatment. The low temperature will help reduce inflammation, which will relieve pain. After applying the hot object, apply the ice pack for about 5 to 10 minutes. Apply these two treatments alternately.
Step 4. Understand that these home remedies are not a substitute for professional medical treatment
It is only used to help relieve pain due to muscle spasms caused by tetanus. But the important thing that should also be done is to get the tetanus immune globulin and seek the help of a medical professional.
