Cuts and superglue...

[21TonyK]

Any scalpel wielders confirm or deny the following.

Is it or is it not semi-safe to wipe a smear of bog standard superglue over a cleanly sliced wound (held closed) to seal it?

Can't find anything "proper" online other than Vetbond

[s p a c e m a n]

That's what it's actually for isn't it, sticking stuff together is just a luck byproduct

[grumbledoak]

Yes, that is what it was originally developed for.

[J4CKO]

In my experience all it actually sticks is skin !

[RedWhiteMonkey]

s p a c e m a n said:

That's what it's actually for isn't it, sticking stuff together is just a luck byproduct

Whilst a form of superglue was used in the Vietnam War the whole thing about that being how and why is was invented is a bit of an urban myth. You can get medical grade superglue but the stuff you get in the shops (which will stick your skin together) really isn't recommended for such purpose.

[Fastdruid]

I've done it a number of times.

Stings quite a bit but prevents the cuts being re-opened, especially on paper type cuts.

[Gav147]

Me too, used it a fair few times over the years, on site usually only superglue or insulation tape that work for longer than 5 minutes lol

[21TonyK]

I've been using up a few bottles I had from fitting uPVC windows. Working in a kitchen the odd slice happens (first time in 6 years!)

Just thinking ahead when I claim back for "glue" at work and our H&S dept get involved insisting I do a 3 day course learning how "smear" a £90 bottle glue over a minor cut or close the dept. and go to A&E.

Edited by 21TonyK on Monday 14th November 20:15

[Fozziebear]

You can use it, wound has to be super clean so you don't seal crap inside. Better to get some vet glue which is safer and designed for the job

[anonymous-user]

My grandfather use to use superglue on his bad hacks. Worked a treat.

On a different note use a styptic pencil for any small cuts or shaving cuts.

[Hoofy]

Last time I fked up, I used sellotape to hold things together until my body did what it was supposed to do.

[starf]

Used it recently when I took a chunk out of my finger. Glued the flap back on and it stopped the bleeding and kept everything in place until it could heal.

I've since been recommended the spray-on plaster stuff, but superglue worked for me.

[Du1point8]

I find the spray on plaster stuff is ok unless bleeding quite bad as the blood keeps on coming and a bubble of blood then forms, then you have to burst it and then spray more on and rinse and repeat.

[Lynx516]

Superglue is exactly the same stuff we use in theatre. We just use special v expensive medical grade stuff but it's really identical.

Most cuts which require glue are usually big enough to go to A&E the rest don't need it and can just be left to close by themselves. If you insist on using glue just make sure the cut is very very clean.

[Fastdruid]

Lynx516 said:

Most cuts which require glue are usually big enough to go to A&E the rest don't need it and can just be left to close by themselves. If you insist on using glue just make sure the cut is very very clean.

For me it's less about the size and more about both preventing them from catching (and hence being painful) and keeping them clean. Especially when there is a flap of skin.

None *needed* glue (apart from maybe when I accidentally tried to saw a finger off, that one I maybe should have gone to A+E for).

[Trophy Husband]

Used to use it when I did a lot of rock climbing. That was over 10 years ago and I'm still here.

[colin_p]

Doesn't superglue contain cyanide?

If so, I'd rather bleed and have a nice scar to talk about in the future.

[Shoegrip]

colin_p said:

Doesn't superglue contain cyanide?

If so, I'd rather bleed and have a nice scar to talk about in the future.

Cyanide isn't that toxic in those kind of quantities.

[dangerousB]

My girlfriend's a CCP - the only reason we have superglue in the house is for just this purpose!!

[Floptimus Prime]

I use it all the time for cuts on my fingers, especially in winter as I get dry skin.

My work colleagues screw their faces up in disgust and have claimed many times I'm endangering my health due to the chemicals in the glue.