If you’ve stuck around this blog for any amount of time, you’ll have noticed that I have reviewed a truckload of knives. As a consequence of this devotion to sharp objects, I very frequently find myself with nicks and cuts of all sizes (curse you assisted openers!).
Rather than defaulting to using bandages to seal those cuts, I’ve instead found myself becoming very good friends with superglue over the years. I find that I tend to favor using superglue over bandages (or even stitches!) as super glue provides a quick solution that allows me to keep using the limb with the cut with very little discomfort and no (or limited) scarring.
I firmly believe that super glue is one of the best options available for sealing cuts. It’s not ideal for sealing all cuts, but for most cuts that people end up with on a day to day basis (small- to medium-sized straight cuts that were caused by paper, the use of kitchen knives, etc.) super glue does a better job than any of the alternatives.
Now I know that there is, quite frankly, a high level of doubt within the general population with regards to whether super glue really works for sealing cuts (let alone with regards to whether it should be used in this way), but I’m here to try to set the story straight. If experience has taught me anything it’s that some genius way of doing something can be lying right under people’s noses and often unless it’s culturally acceptable, people won’t ever bother to try it. I’m almost guaranteed to get glares of confusion (and concern!) when I tell a new person how I sealed the fresh cut I just got yesterday with a bit of super glue. It took me hours to convince my in-laws that this was a perfectly viable way to close cuts, and my grandmother still feels uncomfortable with the idea to this day.
I’m here to tell you that if you’re open to the idea of doing something that goes against the grain when it comes to sealing your cuts shut – you’re in luck, as you’ll find that super glue is pretty much magic in a squeeze-bag when it comes to this. Superglue rocks when it comes to this application, and I’m here to show you why.
And now of course for a disclaimer: just because a (handsome) guy over the internet tells you something is completely okay, doesn’t mean that you’re no longer responsible for your own actions. As with everything in life, the buck stops with you, so do your own due diligence and when in doubt always seek professional advice.
The following article is my opinion only. I am not a medical practitioner and take no responsibility for how you use the information contained within this piece.
A Brief Background on Superglue and Cuts
Superglue is an acrylic based resin called Cyanoacrylate (CA). It is sold under many different brand names, from Krazy Glue to Loctite. It was invented in the 1940s/1950s during the war effort, but found uses beyond being a mere fast acting adhesive during the Vietnam war.
Super glue was originally created in 1942 in an attempt to use the material to make clear plastic sights for the guns being used in the war. Cyanoacrylate failed at this purpose because it was just way too sticky. But while it is a myth that super glue was originally invented as a way for soldiers to close their wounds on the battlefield – it does seem to be true that, historically, super glue was re-appropriated to be used in such a way. It seems the soldiers in the Vietnam war were often patched up using super glue, though by medics and not the soldiers themselves, and only in order to stop the bleeding long enough to carry the wounded away.
The primary advantage of super glue is that it works fast (instant glue is a well deserved moniker). It also creates an impermeable seal that is resistant to the environment (including water) and leaves behind little to no scarring.
What Kind of Superglue Can Be Used to Seal a Cut?
Super glue is a common term to describe a household adhesive. The medical stuff is quite a bit different and spawned due to two significantly adverse side effects;
- When applied, the glue creates a exothermic reaction (basically heat) when curing; this can damage the surrounding tissue and make the situation worse.
- The curing processes releases cyanoacetate and formaldehyde, which irritate the eyes, lungs, throat & nose.
As a consequence of these side effects, new adhesives were invented to minimize these reactions that are designed expressly for medical and surgical uses. They come in 2 common compositions from different manufacturers, but all have increased strength, generate far less irritation when used on skin, and are much superior when it comes to flexibility – which as you can imagine is quite useful!
The two medical grade super glues are:
1. 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (rated for the closure of wounds and surgical incision and as a barrier against common bacterial microbes)
- SurgiSeal
- FloraSeal
- Dermabond (probably the most ubiquitous one)
- Derma+Flex
2. n-butyl cyanoacrylate (Very similar to 2-octyl but less rigid, more flexible, and consequently not as strong)
- Liquiband
- Indermil
- GluShield
- GluStitch
- Histoacryl
- Periacryl (as a dental adhesive)
These 2 types of medical grade superglue should really be the ones you use for medical applications. “Regular” super glue – like Krazy Glue or Loctite (methy-2-cyanoacrylate or ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate) are not designed for with medical application in mind, and thus the previously discussed side effects, as well as greatly reduced flexibility, make them an inferior choice for sealing cuts.
I will say, however, that I have used regular Krazy Glue with no issues, but that was my decision and I would not recommend it, especially since the medical stuff is so easily available. If you want to do things on the cheap, you can always use the veterinary equivalents (Vetbond, LiquiVet, Surgi-lock, Nexaband, etc.).
With that said, if you have nothing else around, and that cut needs to be sealed, I wouldn’t be too worried about using a dab of Krazy Glue.
When Should You Use Super Glue to Seal a Cut?
You should use super glue instead of bandages when you have shallow lacerations/cuts. If your cut is under 3/4 of an inch in length, it might be fine to use super glue – any more than that, you should take a pass on trying to use super glue. You should use super glue only if the flow of blood is minor. If you’re bleeding a lot, you probably shouldn’t risk it if there are alternatives around.
Paper cuts and light cuts from sharp knives are the best candidates for super glue over the use of band-aids. The small cuts typically heal completely over the span of 24 hours.
Also use super glue only when you are comfortable doing so. If you are worried you won’t be able to super glue your cut properly – say your hands are shaking or you just don’t feel confident you’ll be able to do it by yourself – pass and use a bandage or stitches, or seek medical help from a professional instead. Don’t ever do anything you’re uncomfortable with. Cuts can get infected and infected cuts are dangerous.
When Shouldn’t You Use Super Glue to Seal a Cut?
This will be controversial because I use super glue to seal wounds that are much larger than recommended by medical professionals, but I will suggest you follow official guidelines – which are basically to only use super glue on cuts less than 5 cm long and that happen to be straight. Jagged cuts or tears, like the types often made by falling or cutting yourself on a dull knife, are not viable for sealing shut with super glue, therefore, as per official recommendations.
According to the medical guidelines, you should also never do the following;
- Never use super glue on your face.
- Never use super glue anywhere near your eyes.
(Seriously, don’t do this.) - Never use super glue on deep wounds.
(I have used it for somewhat deep wounds, but your mileage may vary and it may not be wise; always err on the side of caution and don’t take risks you don’t need to take.) - Never use super glue on wounds that are bleeding.
(I frequently use super glue whilst the wound is still bleeding and while it works fine, it’s very messy. It’s difficult to get around blood if there’s a lot of it. Would not recommend trying, but I did want to mention that I have done this successfully many times before.) - Never use super glue on wounds that are over joints or body parts that flex.
(This would very likely cause the super glue to come off, and for the cut to re-open.) - Never use super glue on infected wounds.
(Never ever do this! If your cut is infected, you’re just sealing in the infection, meaning you will very likely get sick. Make sure to disinfect your wound before using super glue. Super glue is not a replacement for disinfectant!) - Never use super glue on wounds as a result of an animal or insect bite.
(As they would likely be infected. See point above.) - Never use super glue on puncture wounds in general.
- Never use super glue on dirty or unclean wounds.
(Again, because of the possibility that the wound is infected; here’s how you clean a wound).
I would also recommend that if you work in an unsanitary environment or an industrial park to simply pack the wound with Vaseline or other soaked dressing and go to a medical facility to get it professionally cleaned and sealed should it require it. Don’t take chances with cuts. Infections are serious and what looked like an simple scrape that would heal in no time could go awry if you do end up getting an infection.
Guide to Using Super Glue
- First and foremost, always irrigate wounds and use a disinfectant (alcohol works) before sealing with medical glue. You really don’t want to trap all sorts of nasty things inside what is essentially an acrylic bubble with direct access to your bloodstream. Check out my full article on infected cuts for a refresher of the signs of infection and why you should be super careful from the start; infection is no joke.
- Make sure the cut is an ideal candidate for super glue (see sections “When Should You Use Super Glue to Seal a Cut?” and “When Shouldn’t You Use Super Glue to Seal a Cut?” to figure out how – and if you haven’t yet read them cause you were skimming – tsk, tsk!!)
- Proceed to wait until bleeding has subsided by applying pressure around the wound. If the wound is acting like a faucet, it’s a pretty good sign that you need to get to a hospital to get a doctor to patch you up ASAP with some stitches! Otherwise, if the bleeding subsides, proceed to the next step.
- Gently bring the wound closed without using excessive pressure. Essentially, use a delicate pinch. A natural seal is all that is required, so don’t get crazy and clamp down to the point of bruising. I mention this because I have seen a friend overdo the pinching “to make sure nothing gets in.” Not a good idea and definitely not needed.
- Apply a thin layer of the superglue and wait for the super glue to cure. This will create an impermeable layer above the wound. If you add too much glue too quickly, the super glue will take a longer time to cure, and that’s really not ideal. So again, thin layer and don’t overdo it. You can always add a little more if it’s needed (though it probably won’t be).
- Release your pinch and go grab a cold beer.
- Don’t be an idiot like me and try peeling off the super glue yourself. Wait for the super glue to fall off naturally. And it will. You just have to be patient (unlike me!). Scratching away at the top layer of superglue is a terribly bad idea because you’re running the completely unnecessary risk of re-opening the wound, potentially getting it infected, and then needing to start the process of disinfecting and sealing all over again (guess how I know!).
Things to be Wary of When Using Super Glue to Seal Cuts
- I have sometimes had blood trapped under the seal of superglue turn black and look pretty damn unappealing. It will go away by itself. Our bodies are pretty resilient, but if you notice any pain and/or discomfort please go to the E.R.!
- Sometimes the wound channel leaks at the end with little droplets of blood. I usually just wait for the bleeding to subside and then add a dab of superglue.
- Slow and steady wins the race. Don’t pour half the tub of glue just because you think it will help – it won’t. Less is more. It’s better to apply a little bit of super glue at a time and wait for the super glue to dry into a solid seal. Sometimes you will add too much accidentally because you’re nervous – refrain from adding more as it will only make matters worse (make it take more time to cure/dry and seal properly). I am guilty of sometimes putting on too much super glue and it really just makes your job harder.
- A times, for whatever reason, the wound starts to bleed again after you’ve put on super glue, and somehow mixes with the still curing super glue. It will look messed up, but in practice, this is pretty much harmless. Just let it set and don’t scratch at it, and the super glue will fall of harmlessly.
- With regards to scars, having used super glue to seal over 50 cuts in the past 4-5 years alone, the only scars that I have are actually from stitches.
- If you ever need to remove superglue for whatever reason, you can use acetone (nail polish remover) to do this. Remember that acetone is an irritant (putting it on your cut will sting) so try not to get yourself in this situation in the first place.
- This may sound obvious, but watch your fingers after using superglue. It’s pretty common for people to rub their eyes without thinking and, needless to say, the consequences can be dire.
As always do your own due diligence and know your own limits with regards to comfort threshold. I never recommend for people to take action (especially the medical kind) when they are not comfortable. There is nothing wrong with deciding that you can’t handle something and going to the pros. There is something wrong with powering through your discomfort and ending up in a bad situation you wish you’d never gotten yourself into.
Just because I sometimes using regular superglue on relatively deep cuts doesn’t mean its a good idea. As a matter of fact it’s probably a very bad idea. So please take what I write with the due context – just because some things work doesn’t mean they’re ideal – do your best to stick to what’s medically vetted and refrain from putting yourself at risk unnecessarily.
If possible, get someone to help you. It’s much less messy if you have a second person there to apply the super glue for you (especially if the super glue is on your dominant hand/arm), and they often can apply the glue much more accurately than if you were doing it yourself.
Super glue is a fantastic medical resource for cuts, but while it is a little bit of magic goodness, it’s certainly not a magic bullet. Take your time. Evaluate the condition of your wound and realize it’s not ideal in all cases. Opt for stitches if bleeding does not subside or the wound channel is just too jagged to be safe to seal shut with medical grade super glue.
More First Aid Resources
When it comes to first aid, you need two important things to help you on your quest to keep yourself and those around you safe & healthy: knowledge and (to a lesser extent) supplies. To tackle the prior, take a look through our list of the top 22 emergency & survival first aid books and grab those that you think will best help you gain the knowledge you’ll need. For the latter, take a look at our Ultimate First Aid Supplies List to see if there’s anything you should be adding to your at-home first aid supplies stockpile, or if there’s something you’ve forgotten to add to one of your first aid kits.
Do you know how to tell if a cut is infected, whether to use Advil, Tylenol, or Aspirin, and how to quickly assess and address emergency situations? Did you know you that Imodium is an excellent tool for survival?
Want even more? Quickly browse through the first aid articles we’ve published on this blog, to see if there’s anything valuable you’ve yet to learn on the topics we’ve written about.
Your info on the medical grade glues is a bit off.
n-butyl cyanoacrylate (Very similar to 2-octyl but less rigid, more flexible, and consequently not as strong)
n-butyl is MORE rigid, LESS flexible, but bonds stronger than the more flexible 2-octyl.
Good catch, I have personally used both and never noticed much of a practical difference besides the costs ;)
If you put too much on and it dries a bit lumpy, you can smooth it with a very fine emery board then wipe with an alcohol wipe. Don’t go hard though, just a light brushing to make sure you don’t break through the seal.
Great article, thanks for this… just what I needed after cutting the tip of my finger with the lid of a tuna tin. I superglued the flap of skin and then started to wonder how long this ‘mess’ on my finger will take to heal/clear up. Glad to see that this method is very successful. You’ve pretty much answered all my questions. :)
Glad to help Kristina!
I got an approximately 5mm deep wound from being stabbed accidentally with a pen. It barely bled which was good. I quickly rinsed with water and glued it shut. My only concern is that glue went into the wound. I realise that I should have held it shut, then applied glue. Instead I let the glue drip in the hole, then held it closed. Should I be concerned?
Hi Gem, sorry about the super late response- by now the wound will have healed fully but for anyone else reading this with similar concerns- no, you don’t need to be worried about that. Your flesh will push out any foreign bodies (within reason) as it heals a cut.
How long until the glue glue falls off
Few days to a week Ben. Depends on how much application and where you its applied. On a stress point (fingers etc.) it will come off faster due to constant flexing and friction.
Thank you. Had to handle a decent hand cut last weekend and got glue in it. Been a bit worried, but was almost 5 days ago and ask looks well enough. I appreciate you.
Cheers Lance. Likewise.
I’m a huge fan of superglue on cuts. I’m a bartender and I’m constantly rinsing or washing my hands at work. At home I feed some stray kitties, as well as my own (wet food-messy) and we rent a house with no dishwasher, so aside from doing our own regular dishes, every night I’ve got a constant rotation of cleaning plates, washing my hands after touching their dirty plates. Its constant.
So between work, and home, I honestly must rinse or wash my hands over 100 times daily. It’s like every 5-10 minutes. And this happens summer or winter.
Needless to say, more in the winter, my hands gets filled with dry, cracked sometimrs raised, cuts, every where. Touching anything is beyond painful, particularly citrus. It’s those little small paper cut type of cuts, but they’re on my knuckles, and really could show up anywhere on my hands. The pain gets intense, even just standing still. It’s a constant throbbing.
Someone told me about Super Glue. I was kind of like “that’s a little weird” but I was also like “who cares? I’ll try anything!” I always have a supply in our “junk drawer.”
Can I just tell you, I put that blob on my finger/s (no fear whatsover—did not care ….coulda killed me for all I cared)…but I put that blob on, and yeah its stings a bit (less than citrus!) and as soon as those suckers started drying, it was literally INSTANT RELIEF. I couldn’t even feel the cuts anymore. It not only deals them up, but it also creates a protective “shell.” But the best part? The pain vanishes. Because the raw, nervy cut is no longer exposed to air…the pain literally vanishes. Using super glue is seriously just like “ahhhhh”
Do my fingers look a little weird? Probably. Do I care…NOPE. LOVE IT.
Glad you found a workable solution mate, out of interest- are gloves an option at all when rinsing stuff? Like the thin nitrile ones?
You can use Liquid Skin (n-butyl cyanoacrylate). Available at Dollar Tree for, well, one dollar (.5 gram tube/applicator).
A friend of mine tried to fix the stitching on his trouser zip with supaglue. It fixed the stitching but he was not wearing anything under the trousers! When he went to take his trousers off he had a problem and needed to go to a doctor for very careful surgery to remove the trousers from his person. Be very careful how it is used.
Sounds horrific and a perfect example of user stupidity. Why on earth he would have the trousers on whilst fixing it knowing full well he wasn’t wearing anything underneath is insane.
I would like to order this product…. Can some one give me assistance on this please.
Superglue is available literally everywhere mate.
For small cuts that look a little red (possible infection/irritation) I mix super glue with an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin. I have had good results.
what is the best way to deal with a 2 centimeter in vertical cut in the middle of the left eyebrow.
I was considering Krazy glue but I read that it was not a good idea to use around the eye.
Definitely avoid using superglue around the eye, stitches would be the best option- its your face mate, dont risk an ugly scar.
Today, I sliced the top of my middle finger to the bone today while I was in Lowe’s, it was my razor sharp, Spyderco Tenacious pocket knife, it went deep, that pushed near half way in my finger like it was hot butter. It was pooling blood in my hands, as I am trying to get to the register to buy me some Super glue. Right after I cut my self, I’m running through the isles tracking down where the glue was at. It is the best thing for cuts you could possibly use. My finger is sealed shut, and the bleeding stopped! It doesn’t burn, it doesn’t hurt applying the glue at all. You may feel it a little but, usually no more than the cut hurts already. I don’t even clean the cut, the knife was clean, my hands were clean too. I finally got the bleeding to stop, and I couldn’t wait to put the crazy glue in it, and on it. I use a generous amount. I love the stuff.
Glad it worked out for you mate, I would still recommend irrigation- you don’t want the wound the heal over bits of debris! ;)
Another good use of super glue is when you have a split or broken nail.
Just apply it over the nail, let dry and reapply.
Good tip, have never actually done it but will remember for the future.
ive done that too, im a bladesmith and have literally ground off half my fingernail. hurt like a bitch, but after cleaning, I simply layered toilet paper (not used TP) and super glue, making a rough composite nail like how fiberglass is layered. I then took a nail file and filed it flush with the rest of the nail. after a few weeks it was totally healed. some people did ask why half my finger nail was white though haha.
That is actually a very interesting idea, I usually get grinder kisses on my knuckles more than my fingernails, but I might use this sometime.
What a good use for super glue since skin seems to be the only thing I can get it to work on, I have tried from generic to major brands and the stuff hardly holds, is it just me? everyone I know swears by the stuff but the only thing I seem to be able to glue efficiently with it is my fingers, I keep a supply on hand for cuts and so if I can ever get it to work for it’s intended use I’ll have it.
With superglue, less is more. You want the bond to be tight and bare in mind that it is material specific. I find it works great on ceramics, plastics and some metals but no so much on materials that offer a degree of flexibility or give as that often breaks the bond.
I have used it on everything from cracked whetstones to wood, and find that only creates a strong bond with materials that have a clean surface and almost no gap in the joint, it does seem to be a bit brittle though so don’t use it in situations where has to withstand any type of shock load or significant deflection.
Great blog and very informative .
I had a run in with a work colleague and it ended up with a very nasty 3-4 cm cut in my forehead
I traveled back from London where my wife who happens to be a nurse told me straight away I needed 4-5 stitches I declined her offer and asked her to stick it with super glue I told her it was envented in Vietnam for wound repair ……well she cleaned it and applied it around the cut and put a plaster over the top to keep it pinched in as there was swelling I’m 3 days in I’ll let you know how I get on sealed it real good and saved me the 5 hrs wait in AE
Been 3 days (and some!), how did it work out Lennie? Thanks for the compliments- much appreciated.
After cleaning it up, (DO NOT pour hydrogen peroxide on a deep cut) then betadine for germs, then a foam cleanser they use in the nursing home, (not likely to find any sterile, fragrance-free cleaner around here,) I have opted to put a tiny square of the white part of a band-aid on it. (I searched for it and this is the closest thing I got.) I don’t have 24+ hours for it to dry. I gotta work tomorrow. (I only had the drip kind. No brush to control the flow so ended up with a bubble.) I’ll put you on my desktop to come back and update how it goes…
I first used super glue around 1980 and have been a fan ever since, but until a few years ago I never though of using it on myself. Now that I am older, I get a lot of cracks on my knuckles and finger tips in cold weather, so I tried super glue on them, and it worked great. I use the regular stuff and have had no problems. I didn’t even know there was a medical grade. My wife and others think I am nuts to use it in this way, so I am happy to see I am not alone. Thanks for posting.
You’re welcome Rod!
I was grinding some bolts flush to a metal electrical box, and my pointer finger got a bit frisky with that spinning bit… (Stupid I know, but on the bright side I won’t be doing that again). Well it took a decent chunk out of my finger (about 3/8″ deep, and fairly wide.y finger nail was pretty messed up for a while) before I realized what was happening. Once I turned the grinder off I wrapped that sucker really tight with electrical tape, and when I got home about 20 min later I threw some dollar store super glue on it and pinched the cut closed. I was surprised because the releife was almost instant! And now (only about 3 months) you couldn’t tell.
I love super glue, and really enjoyed this article, thanks for publishing!
Experience is definitely the best teacher. ;)
Glad it worked out for you mate & you are welcome!
Just tried this for the first time. Cut my finger cleaning a serrated kitchen knife. Cut is two cm, and fairly deep. Definitely a candidate for four or five stitches IMO, but I am up in the Great Smokies without a vehicle. I remember hearing the (false) rumor that CA glues were invented for this purpose, and I’m confident with my research, and first aid abilities so here goes… Relatively painless, but I AM concerned about the depth of this cut. Is it possible to get stitches after sealing the wound? GREAT article btw!
Hi Andrew, sorry about the late response. It is viable with some work to have stitches done post sealing with superglue but it may require re-opening the wound channel and removing some of the tissue and consequently may not be worth it.
Why are you concerned? If it is healing up with no signs of infection I personally would leave it alone but as usual I have to give the disclaimer of going to a professional if you have any doubts.
Thanks for dropping by mate!
I was punctured in between my index finger and middle finger and used gorilla glue to shut it because that was the only thing around. does it matter if its gel or liquid?
Several years ago I cut a bad cut on top of my thumb and at the ER they used a gel rubbery type of super glue. Anyone seen this before? Does it matter if its gel or liquid?
I used super glue on a cut before, so hopefully this works!
Doesn’t matter at all, the gel stuff is frequently used in E.R because its easier to control/apply but the underlying process is identical.
I stabbed my hand with a boning knife that would have had a stitch or two, but no time and work needed doing.
Out came the Loctite it was a deep puncture wound and i could see the white looking fatty stuff below my skin. Applied it any way as their was very little blood. It Stung like hell but did the job. As the injury was just below my finger joint i did need to reapply more Loctite over the course of two days. It healed but at the end of the second day I could taste the smell of the glue in my mouth.
Then it disappeared and healed with a very tiny scar.
Would i use it again definitely with out question.
Why hold up casualty when you can fix your self.
Glad to hear it all worked out and yeah, completely agree- so many people rush to the E.R for benign stuff that frankly, should be done at home!
Takes for dropping by James!
I don’t recommend that anyone try this but I had two raised scars from cuts that would have needed stitches on my legs. They weren’t keloids, just ugly raised scars. Since scar reduction is “cosmetic” I couldn’t afford it. I tried all kind of scar reduction band aids to flatten them but that should have been done when it was fresh twenty years ago. One day I decided to cut off the raised scar tissue and super glue the new wound shut. I know that’s pretty crazy but it worked. The new scars are not raised and so much neater and less noticeable than what was there before and it’s only been about six weeks so they will continue to improve. A doctor would have probably done even better, but I’m SO pleased with it I’ll be wearing a mini skirt for the first time next summer. I only have a few years left before I’ll be too old for it. I’m already pushing 30 now. As I said, I don’t recommend that anyone try to do this just because it worked for me even if I take all the precautions I took. But it’s an example of how well superglue does work. This turned out SO much better than I could have ever hoped. I’ve used super glue on cuts ever since a friend of mine who is a nurse told me about it. Everything I super glued healed really well. I never had really bad cuts that wouldn’t stop bleeding, were super jagged or couldn’t be pushed all the way together with my fingers though. I use it even on the smallest paper cuts because it feels much better than a band aid and seems to heal faster too.
As long as you feel good, you can wear a mini-skirt for as long as you like- no time limit on happiness of positive body image (as Elise just said, “if madonna can do it, you will be fine ;)”!
Really glad it worked out well for you- gotta be honest and when I first read your comment I was like O.O and almost flinched. How did you cut off the raised scar tissue? Scalpel? Did you use a topical numbing agent?
Thanks for sharing your experiences, much appreciated.
I got a remarkably deep scratch on my fingertip a bit over an inch long from a startled cat, and after the third time it popped open i decided on impulse to glue it shut (after flooding it in alcohol of course) because I didnt wanna bother with stitches. Good to know I actually did it right and that I’m not as crazy as my boss seemed to think! It’s been healing up great and I’ll definitely make super glue my go to from now on.
Yup, its crazy how well the stuff works. As someone who as dealt with 100’s of small cuts over the years (thanks to this website), it’s my go to for all basic cuts.
You should DEFINITELY be careful with feline related injuries as they are almost guaraeed to get infected. Hope it all worked out well!
Can you use fingernail glue instead of super glue? The kind of fingernail glue you’d use when you accidentally break a nail and it’s in a place that’s better to glue the nail back together since you can cut the nail where it broke?
Hi Renee, I frankly have no idea as I have never used it but a few minutes of googling informed me that the most common brand of nail glue is made with Ethyl Cyanoacrylate which is basically superglue.
So, yes. I would say its safe but Krazy Glue is inexpensive and available everywhere so I would suggest picking up a lil’ pack and keeping it for medical uses in the cabinet.
Thank you, Thomas. It’s all I randomly happened to have with me at the moment and I’d split my toe open.
I get you, how did it work out? Heal up alright?
I had heard about using superglue prior to reading your 2015 article. I used it. Coincidentally, I had to go to a plastic surgeon a week later for an unrelated problem. You give a good explanation of when not to use it. I got the same lecture from the doctor, had the cut corrected, and then bought medical grade super glue for a future emergency.
I will also mention, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GLUE OR SEW A SERRATED BLADE CUT. In many instances all a doctor can do is clean it.
Another time, I thought that all I had was a minor cut from dropping a plate in the sink. It wasn’t.It took the doctor 45 minutes of cleaning, debriding and sewing.
Also, do not use superglue on serrated blade cuts.
yeah, superglue with jagged cuts will end with a nasty looking scar. Right tool for the right job as always mate.
A more effective way to close and seal larger cuts with superglue is to apply a clean binding agent over the wet glue, such as a clean paper towel, or cotton gun cleaning patches. paper towel makes an instant scab (excess can be removed by wetting with water), and the fibers increase the holding strength so it wont tear back open. on very large cuts, use it like stables to close the wound working your way from one end to the other. its fast and will reduce blood loss on the way to get a professional repair job. I’ve been using it this way for many years with all kind of lacerations.
Very interesting, never thought about creating my own superglue laced butterfly stitches. I will remember that for next time!
Had rods put in my penis due to problems One rod came through the skin and had to be taken out all this is been very disappointing and painful I have one rod left as two were put in . the left side is now the only one left I’m only leaving it in due to the pain of taking it out now I noticed tonight that it is wearing through the skin wear Where the skin is thinner I see the doctor tomorrow but there’s a small hole there and I’m wondering if the doctor could put surgical glue there and try that
Hi Gene, all the best for your predicament- hopefully it got sorted out. That said, you just gave me nightmares. :(
I managed to cut myself with a kitchen knife in a finger…
Instantly tried to close the wound with other finger, while I was thinking: That’s a deep cut, it will not stop with just a bandage.
Lifted my other finger for a second, lots o blood coming out! Putted the other finger pressuring right back, and cleaned the blood with water from the tap, while holding the wound closed.
Then it came to my mind that sometimes handling super glue almost instantly dries on my skin.
Lucky enough to have a brand new tube of super glue in my toolbox, scrambled fast as I can and get it.
Lifted my finger from the wound for a second, it stayed close for an instant, putted a little of glue and tried to disperse the glue across my finger to fasten the drying process.
Success! A little more glue to create a 2nd layer, and voila. To finish picked up the ” super unglue” and removed the glue from my other fingers.
I never read nothing about this but I saw it in a movie a few days ago (Hulk 2008), I was panicking a little and this provided a fast solution and calm me down.
Cheers
Glad it worked out Tiago! Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Which type would you say is the most resilient? For my current purposes, I won’t be using this to seal a cut, but rather to provide some protective cover for fingertips during several upcoming sessions of extended guitar playing. Any thoughts to that end?
mhm, well krazy glue is the standard but I imagine the guitar strings will tear up the protective layer pretty quick. Give it a shot with the cheapest stuff you can find and if it doesn’t work out then possibly an adhesive that is more “tacky/ductile” in nature would be best?
It actually worked pretty well! Definitely not flexible, but sturdy and protective enough. I played several days in a row, but I just reapplied it each day after peeling off the previous days partially shredded remains. I carry a tube in my guitar case now. Thanks!
This information is not particularly accurate. From a ER/ED/MD. Do not use alcohol, or any other form of antiseptic such as alcohol or peroxide, this kills cells. If anything, use Betadyne. However, more effective is to simply wash/rinse the wound with running water, get it as clean as you can. You can use a triple anitbiotic cream, but probably no more neccessary. Also, the ED/ER/MD, says that superglue is the same as the dermabond type products, and a lot cheaper. Whether it is, or not, I’d go with the advice of a emergency MD, over the advice of “Dr. Google” LOL ;o) I just got consulted on a stab wound in the leg, not a deep puncture, and he said that we could go for two stitches or superglue and a butterfly, when asked what he would do, for himself, he said the latter.
Howdy Lewis, I wrote in length on the matter (here), you have to bare in mind that this is a survival blog and a lot of the time I write from the perspective of “last ditch/dealing with what life throws at you alone” options. A lot of my older articles followed the practises laid out by individuals who experienced true urban SHTF situations where clean water & proper hygiene is not always viable. Check out Selco and his life experiences, its a real eye opener.
Obviously how you react to an injury is always going to be dependent on your enviroment and third party medical access. Its very easy to be conservative on the infection fighting front when you can pop into the E.R at a moments notice- something to think about. I have begun to taper my advice with more mainstream/less extreme recommendations due to the overlap of survival/preppers & regular people seeking medical help on my blog. One of the flip sides of having a larger/more established site I guess but its always going to put me in an odd situation as you can’t please everyone- hence the stream of disclaimers I have to put down in every first aid article.
Thanks for dropping by Lewis, hope that answers your questions with regards to my perspective and why we do things a specific way.
Superglue is not good for you! That’s why it’s not approved for medical use. There are quite a few medical grade skin glues on the market today. You can get them on amazon. . Skinstitch has a cap that you can put back on so you can use one tube multiple times and it doesn’t burn like dermabond that is single use. I’ve used a lot and wouldn’t want to be without it.
Its 100% fine mate. Sure, some people have adverse reactions in terms of irritation but its a limited side effect and taking into account the widespread use and ubiquity of superglue as a replacement for sutures, its viability is not in question. The only difference between methyl 2-cyanoacrylate or ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate vs 2-octyl cyanoacrylate is that it isn’t an irritant but to be blunt, I find the hit on my wallet to be more of an irritant which is why I (and many others) don’t bother with the stuff.
I use superglue for cuts because I hate putting sticking plasters on that just fall off and uncovered cuts are just irritating. My daughter accidentally got some in her eye which shut her eyelid for a day or two, but it was OK. The doc said that basically superglue is a surgical glue so not to worry. I think she must have blinked her eye shut before it actually hit the eyeball. But anyway since that incident I have realised that superglue is safe to use on cuts.
Eek, I am glad your daughter was OK. Thanks for sharing Frankie.
Now I have a question, I’ve been using super glue for cuts in many years now. Specially since I became a Blade Junkie! I have even used super glue when the cut has been real bad and in all cases it has been great. The only thing is if you’re suspecting that you may have cut any joints or nerves that it would be best to seek medical assistance.
Back to my question, when you use super glue on your cut, can you re glue the cut if it comes of? For instance if you have a lot to do with watter it may happen that in the second day, you lose the glue and in that case can you put some new glue on it (after you clean the cut of course).
Thanks for a wonderful blog by the way.
Yep, I’m a meat cutter I’ve cut myself countless times and have used super glue for years, once cut the very tip of my finger off so it was hanging by a flap of skin threw some super glue on it and if it was peeling I resealed it barely a hint of a scar…
As Scott correctly said, no issues with re-applying superglue.
i am a mechanic. we live with crazy glue bandages all the time . we could never be without its awesome cut sealing and i might add disinfecting properties. nothing can live in this stuff. the cuts have very little if any scarring and heal quicker than other methods of care
Yup, I can’t imagine going back to band aids!
Don’t try to clear a clogged tip by biting on it. It leaves the worst film of glue on your teeth.
Haha, best anecdote, I can just imagine that! Thanks for sharing!
I got a cut on my finger on October 29, by setting up a banner, it snapped and smashed my finger but it also made a deep cut, which I only used bandages. As of today November 7th, my cut is still opened, the skin is separated. I have only been using butterfly bandages, but seems my skin is drying without sealing the cut. Can I still use super glue or is it to late??
Eek, thats a tough call to assess from where I am (in my armchair, sipping coffee, in the UK). It would depend on the length & depth of the cut- how clean the wound is, if its edges are irregular or torn. What the risk of infection is based on how you dealt with it in the first place etc. I am not in a position where I can ascertain the safety of bonding the wound shut with superglue- after a week, exposure to bacteria is a high risk.
Generally speaking, the wound will heal regardless- from the sounds of it, its not bleeding and thus the healing process has begun- with that said, I would recommend medical attention as the risks are higher than I am comfortable with advising.
I hope it all works out- please drop by and let me know how it turns out.
I have been using and advocating super glue for small to medium wounds for more than 20 years. I’ve used it on numerous wounds that would normally required up to 10 and more stitches and have never had an adverse reaction. In the Marine Corps and in my personal hunting/camping kit it is always part of my first aid kit. But I’ll go you one better; several years back, I had a cap/crown (?) come off a tooth. The dentist had applied it only about a year before, I was way out in the boondocks at wouldn’t get to the dentist for a while so I mixed up some J B Weld filled up the cap and put it back over the area. My mouth tasted TERRIBLE for about 2 days but after that it was fine. I kept that cap for three years!!!
…3 years.
Wow.
Not sure I would have the balls to keep it in for that long, did you go the the dentist and have him give you the a-ok or was it just a “if it works, don’t fix it” situation? Did it eventually fall off?
Whoops. I violated 3 of the “donts” for using Super Glue (about an hour before I read this article):
Used it on face.
Used in near eye (wound below eyebrow and above eyelid)
Not 100% sure what constitutes “deep”, but its certainly not a shallow cut.
What are the reasons not to use it on the face?
Also, is it really bad if the cut is deep enough for the glue to seep into? Or does the body just push it out?
I used Gorilla Glue Super Glue.
Thanks in advance…
The body will push out any contaminants/foreign substances as it heals. I advise against using it on face as the risk to getting in in your eye is too strong- obviously if you do it carefully its not an issue and medically, a doctor would use superglue on your face should the situation require it but for the average person I would ere on the side of caution.
IVE been using super glue and or gorilla glue since was a kid I always thought better then a Band-Aid which id always pick off.
Im one of those people who can’t handle a band aid feels to restricted Lmao..
Anyways glue is my favorite friend always have in truck first aid kit and in glove compartment my purse in bathroom all thru my home super glue or crazy glue gorilla glue will be seen .
I do have band aid but I go thru more glue then band aids which is funny but it works and I don’t have to keep adding a band aid CUZ Im bleeding so much.
Im a bleeder yes and makes it Lil more difficult but it works
Thanks my friend answered few questions I had much appreciated.
Peace Im out
Just recently returned from canoe trip deep in boreal forest slipped in water barefoot (not very smart) and sliced my foot on a rock my friends said I needed to go home needed about 8 stitches . I reached into my 1st aid kit and pulled out krazy glue to surprise of my fellow outdoorsmen after thoroughly cleaning it (highly recommend iodine in your kit) I glued it together and bandaged it up and was good for next 3 days when I got home went to dr. And he had no concerns about what I did had I not had krazy glue in my kit canoe trip would been ruined
Yup, prepping pays off in the strangest of times! I bet your friends will start packing superglue when going on trips now!
One possibility is only covering the cut 90%. The bond may not be entirely as strong, but if there’s an infection (despite irrigation and disinfection, as noted in the article) it allows the body to get rid of it.
I almost always do this after having dealt with one quite bad infection that got trapped under the glue, and have never had any problems. It works quite well, and syncs nicely with standard medical practices. It was actually my grandmother that taught me, as she had been a nurse for just over 40 years.
The exception to this is if I know I have to keep working with unsanitary materials (and don’t have the option of putting an appropriate bandaid over it, after the glue has hardened fully), in which case I might opt for a complete seal.
On the other hand… while I did find the article rather good, I really don’t agree with recommending vet glue as a middle of the road solution. Go with medical glue for safety OR super glue for cost effectiveness. Vet glue is actually significantly MORE likely to cause an allergic reaction than dime store super glue — last I checked, around five times more likely. On the upside, it IS extremely strong. Even more so than regular super glue.
I guess that might make it useful for niche medical uses, but most of us should reach for something else.
Definitely a good tip- I have never had an infected cut so I can’t comment beyond that- I tend to seal up my wound immediately, always have some Superglue within reach so I think that has a lot to do with it. I recommend Vet glue for specific scenarios (like you said, its much stronger) for example bugging out or whilst on the move. Personally, I have never bothered using anything but Krazy glue and find it works satisfactorily.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Atkins, we appreciate it.
Excellent advice. Just used. Worked like a charm. Feeling relieved that it’s actually less scarring than stitches as well.
Glad it worked out for you, Amy! Hope your cut healed up nicely :).
Today I got my finger tip in the way of some very sharp secateurs and, despite me using some butterfly stitches and lots of other medical dressings it was bleeding for hours. Then I got googling and found this site here – and promptly went out, bought some super glue and sorted it pronto. It was a short but deep cut straight down the fingertip but we’re all sorted (and I’ll be honest, I simply couldn’t face a long wait at A&E for simply a stitch or two – and now we’ll be gluing all other similar cuts). Cheers from the UK, Thomas – good advice, sensible caveats, well written.
Thanks Richard, glad it worked out for you.
Glue definitely works. I’ve used Krazy Glue and also various types of Super Glue while living outside of the United States. The great thing about it is that it naturally comes off after a few days on its own. I once had a rather embarrassing need for closing a wound that could not be bandaged and possibly even required stitches. I glued it instead–I really took a chance, but in the end, it healed fast, was relatively painless and I never had any issues with it.
Yep, those have been my experiences as well! Thanks for sharing Beth.
I cut the crap out of my index finger yesterday.. I even told myself how stupid I was being the moment I picked up the knife and sure enough the (very sharp) pocket knife slipped and wound up shutting on my finger. I freaked.. I ran down the hall to my friends and ran water over it and used many many paper towels to try n slow the bleeding down but It wouldn’t, at all.. I didn’t know what to do and did I mention I was totally FREAKING out?? I was literally fixing to hit the floor any second so I asked her to get some super glue and with it still bleeding like crazy I tried to hold it together as I could and she put a generous amount of glue on my cut:. Now I’m still freakin cuz I didn’t wash it at all before we did this just ran cold water over it, and now I’m not sure how to go about getting these band aides off, is it gonna make the cut bust open or do u have any advice? Please thanks so much
I wouldn’t worry too much about infection, sounds like you irrigated the wound with water & immediately put super glue so I think your safe, did you put the bandaid OVER the superglue? Because superglue is enough- no need to put a bandaid over it. In any case, remove the bandaid slowly- if it is stuck use some nail polish remover with a queue tip to dissolve the super glue & go slowly, one section at a time. Try not to tear the super glue bond thats sealing the wound. Ideally you would want the superglue to fall off by itself (and it will once the cut is sealed). If the wound is still held shut only by the superglue, then I would personally leave it be for a couple of days.
Have a cup of chamomile tea, take a breath & proceed slowly- a cut isn’t a dangerous situation to be in unless your in the jungle or unsanitary environment (& it doesn’t sound like you are).
Keep us updated!
I cut my fourth finger from the nail almost near the bottom it down and very deep. It was gushing and my platelet count is very low . I grabbed super glue and thank goodness it was old but not dry but gooey. It mixed with blood and I swirled it around my finger and it stopped. Can’t believe it as the blood flow was immense. I don’t think it will stay on that long tho. If I go to get antibiotics tomorrow, if they rip it off, will it be a fresh wound to stitch it? It’s is very deep straight from a razor blade I picked up in a hurry)then I cut my other hand and dropped it AND stepped on it! Dang! But, about my finger … I just don’t think the bond will stay . It is 5am so I didn’t want ER just
A medfirst tomo. So back to my question, (sorry) If they take he glue off can they stitch it? Thx
It depends if the tissue around the wound is dead or damaged but generally speaking I would say that it won’t be an issue- might have more scarring that micro stitches from the get go but honestly- give it 24hrs and the wound should have healed to the point that blood flow is non-existent, might not be the prettiest but I don’t see the bond breaking to the point that you would be back to square one.
Superglue works great, just remember to use it on the surface, do not try to put it in the inside walls al the cut.
I found a research article using this stuff on 15 cm long cuts, and they worked well. I let the abstract here.
ABSTRACT
Subjects: Know utilities and complications about cyanoacrylate using on primary synthesis or surgery hurts.
Material and methods: Experimental longitudinal and prospective comparative study on female rats Swib-Wistar, age 100 days,
weight 210 g and 38 cm height. Sedation with midazolam and analgesia with lidocaine at 1%, realized dorsal incision of 15 cm and
daily search for 30 days.
Results: The cyanoacrylate was used in 20 rats and only one nylon, time of the synthesis with adhesive was for 2 minutes and 21 seconds,
1.4 g. The adhesive cost was $4.24 for each. Time of adhesion was immediate unadhesion ocurred in 6 days; watched deshiscence of surgery hurt on 29% between first and second day posapplication, the adhesion was 71% and the areas of deshiscence looks in sities of
flexion, tension and trauma. The tensional resistance at the end of the study was 250 g and the cosmetic result was good. The histological
changes shown less local inflamatory reaction in dermis and muscle, fibroblasts deposit colagene in regular form, regular mithosis and normal
neovascularis.
Conclusions: The cyanoacrylate is fine in the primary surgery clean hurts of 10.5 cm height.
Hope it is interesting.
Interesting information & I definitely second the advice to always use it on the surface (pinch the wound together if you have to) of the wound.
Superglue works great have used it on knife cuts for years. Two suggestions though: 1) if the wound is small but persistently bleeding a Styptic pencil will help stem the flow, they are available at any drugstore, and 2) use a small piece of wax paper to hold the wound closed after applying the superglue, wrap it around the wound snugly and with pressure for 60-90 seconds, this ensures a tight closed wound held by the glue and keeps fingers from getting glued together, PLUS, it leaves a nice smooth surface where the glue covers the wound.
Those are some excellent tips, never thought of using wax paper- good to know for future reference.
Thanks for dropping by Terry!
Let’s just first agree I screwed up before I ask my question…
I’m diabetic & my feet crack open a few times a year. I cleaned, I dried, I applied super glue (too much, of course but I got through that). Its hurting though & I’m concerned about infection. How can I get that super glue off. Any other suggestions besides acetone?
Should have read your article first. A lot of good tips here.
Eek, well thats a tough situation- when in doubt I would always suggest going to a medical professional (gotta cover my ass here) but other ways to get super glue off is with WD40 (I have done this before) but honestly acetone (nail polish remover) is by far the best- a lil’ on a qtip and rub gently on the superglue and it should dissolve right off.
People have said margarine or other lubricants like Vaseline can work but I have no direct experience with those methods.
Any reason why acetone is not suitable in your situation? Let me know how it worked out! Sorry about the late response!
*Blush; acetone sounded like it would hurt the cut underneath, if it is infected. But I can suck it up & give it a try. Thanks for your help!
It will be fine! Done it a million times before (slight exaggeration)- drop by and tell us all how it went!
Today I was practicing some bushcraft and cut myself with a Mora Knife. It was pretty deep, but small cut in length below my knuckle on my pointer finger. All I had was some nail glue which is basically krazy glue so I made the decision to seal it with the glue. It immediately sealed it closed and is working unbelievably well. I’m just happy I didn’t have to pay an arm and a leg for stitches. So I can vouch that it works and I will use it again without a question. A mechanic is the one who told me that it works. Knowledge is power my friends!
Really glad it worked out well for you, with the amount of (accidental) cuts I get, I wouldn’t be able to survive without super glue.
My wife can reluctantly attest to that fact.
I read this article a day or two ago, but since I’m extremely careful to practise safe technique, I never expected to need this…
This morning, I tried to make a beer-bottle drinking glass, as I’ve done before, but something went wrong (and I was overconfident – no gloves) and I got cuts on both hands. One of them looked like the kind of cut I could seal with glue. I gave it a go, and so far I’m extremely impressed! I am confident with the bandages on the other cuts, nothing very deep, but the superglue is so much less intrusive!
My wholehearted thanks for this article!
Eek, sounds like a nasty cut- atleast now you will be extra careful when working around glass right? :)
Glad to have helped and thanks for dropping by!
This is in deed an important article with many useful suggestions for first aid for cuts, because probably everyone who frequently handles with knives (as we all do), cuts down time and again accidentally into a finger or the palm of the hand.
I had used in the past for closing comparable minor injuries, mostly cuts, an in Germany well-known “all-purpose glue” called UHU containing the substances methyl acetate and acetone and which can easily be removed / disconnected a few days later from the wound surface.
In superglues I’ve always a great respect and never used it, after I saw pics of glued fingers or eyelids in some medical reports and pictures.
You write: “Do not be an idiot like me and try peeling off the super glue yourself. Wait for the super glue to fall off naturally..” I’m always a bit skeptical whether the adhesive really falls off on its own or whether I have to run around for weeks, for months or even years with taped fingers … (just kidding finally!)
Howdy Egi! I remember UHU glue from school (yellow with an owl right?) from a medicinal perspective I wouldn’t hesitate to use superglue- if your careful you won’t have any issues and the strength is remarkable. I cut myself so much (by accident..i swear!) that my hands would literally be covered in scars without superglue.
It definitely falls off after a couple of weeks by itself & if you want to hurry the process along you can always use acetone so its not like you dont have options! ;)
Howdy Thomas! Thanks for your additional comments.
The tube of UHU is still yellow, but the owl has disappeared. In their place is now on the tube a pictogram with the warning: Flammable! Contains Metgylacetat and Acetone.
Times have changed. It lacks only the warning notice: Please do not swallow!
Egi.
Wow. I can’t believe how insane society has become. In Canada a bag of peanuts has a warning label that states “Product may contain or be made in a facility with peanuts” (or something to that effect).
Its absolutely crazy.
I’m a carpenter and I always have superglue on hand. (No pun intended) It works great and is especially good in the winter time when my fingers get cracks. I’ve told lots of guys about it and they all carry it now in their kits.
Great article.
The small tubes don’t last long because of the seal. I’ve found small containers with screw on lids at the dollar store and it can be opened and closed dozens of times before it goes bad. I keep several containers in my truck at all times.
I buy the teeny 1g tubes and use them as single use items basically. Here its 5 for 1$ so 20c a use which to me seems respectable.
Thanks for sharing your experiences Bill!
That’s what I did for years. A buck to repair a cut or slice is okay by me. If you have a Dollar Store or some such thing the type with the screw lid work great. The bottle says “The Original Super Glue” .10 oz
Exactly what I use!
How about gel vs. Liquid super glue?
I have never looked at gel super glues but I will do some research and if pertinent, add to this article!
Thanks for dropping by thais!
I work in the dangerous world of mail delivery and cannot count the number of paper cuts I’ve received over the years. I used to use regular superglue, once I tried the Loctite brand gel control super glue, I’ve never looked back! I’ve never had a bad reaction to it and by the time the glue works itself off, the cut is usually healed. I frequently use it over joints or in the creases of my hands. I just sliced my finger several layers deep (I probably should have gone in for a stitch) with a kitchen knife and once I got the bleeding slowed enough I put a couple of thin layers of Loctite on it and taped it with gauze to keep my finger straight. I’ll charge myself $2,000 later ;-)
An excellent article! Very detailed and well written. I have had wounds glued by medical personnel in the military. This stuff works.
It surely does! Thanks for dropping by & sharing your experiences JM!
“6. Release your pinch and go grab a cold beer.”
This is pretty much a requirement. In fact, you have pretty much voided all of the other steps if you do not perform step 6.
I am thinking my beer tonight will be the Goose Island/Deschutes collaboration Class of 88 Belgian Style Ale. Sadly though, I am down to my last 2 bottles so only 1 will be consumed this evening.
As Elise can attest, I am terrible at moderation. If I like something I tend to gobble it up without thinking of the next day.
Its a curse! :(
My physique attests to my lack of moderation at times. Especially in winter when it is cold as hell and I worked all day in an office without being able to see the sun.
I feel the same way! ;)
I can vouch that this is safe and effective when done by a medical professional, as I have literally had my scalp glued back together with this stuff (That makes for a great campfire story). The wound I had was created when I whacked my head against a table corner, and was not very straight or neat. The reason the glue was used in my case was because stitches were not a great option because there isn’t much tissue between the skin and bone on your scalp. Another spot I see this problem with stitches being applicable is on the shin. Just another application for the stuff!
I would also recommend integrating a syringe (the type with a nozzle instead of a needle) and a sealed bag of medical saline solution into your pack so you can safely wash out any small debris from the wound. If you do this and have to use it make sure you don’t put the syringe into the wound, but keep about an inch away from the wound.
…your scalp?! Now we gotta know what happened!
Some great advise there Josh, a syringe & saline solution combo are definitely a great option for aggressively (and precisely) irrigating out debris & dirt.
Thanks for dropping by!
Hi, I was hit by a surf board on the head and have a 5 cm long and 2 cm dip cut. They stiches it but said I can’t go in the water for 7 days! I want to surf now! It’s 48 hours after stiches were put. Take antibiotics as they told me. So can I put glue on top of the stiches to protect the wound from the water and go surf ? Pls tell me how u did it,as u mentioned it in the article. Thx
I cut the entire tip of my thumb off. Realized i did it instantly and pinched the piece between the cut and forefinger. I held this long enough to slow the bleeding significantly. Once that happened, i superglued around the perimeter of the cut. Back to work in 10 minutes. No scar at all. I have done this more times than i can count.