To Glue or Not To Glue - That is the Question
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
United States
December 10, 2007 6:15pm CST
Recently I had a discussion with a friend about using Super Glue to heal a minor cut.
I have a friend who works in a commercial kitchen and she says they have been using it ever since she has been there.
About 2 years ago I got quite a nasty cut on one of my fingers. I only live about 5 blocks from a hospital, but it was in the 90s outside and way too hot for my taste to be out walking. The air conditioner in my car has been broken for over 5 years, so that was useless too. I grabbed the Super Glue and "voila", the blood was staunched! The cut probably did require a stitch or two; but....as I said. A few days later, since the glue was beginning to peel and I knew it would re-open the wound, I added more glue. Within a week - all better! I also know some after work softball players that swear by it and always carry it in their duffel bags.
Here is a link from the New York Times regarding the subject.
How do you feel about it?
Would you use it?
In an emergency would you use it on another adult?
In an emergency would you use it on a child?http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/04/health/04real.html?ref=research
7 people like this
14 responses
@meeandnotyou (2548)
• United States
11 Dec 07
Yes I would use it and yes I have used it. I have had some very nasty cuts that have healed with virtually no scar because I used superglue.
On another adult, in an emergency, yes, but then to proper medical attention.
As for using it on a child?!? If it was an emergency then yes until I could get them medical attention. But with it being a child or just not myself in general, I would not be as quick to use it.
I hope that I have answered this adequetly. HAVE A GREAT DAY!
2 people like this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
11 Dec 07
You responded more than adequately! I asked all of those questions because I thought it was perfectly harmless and have used it often. However, the link that I added shows that some of the chemicals in it could be potentially dangerous. And you have a wonderful week ~Donna
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
11 Dec 07
Alright, I just did a bit of research and I might be wrong. Apparently, it was used during the Vietnam war to help soldiers stop bleeding.
But, "The original Eastman formula was not FDA approved for medical use, however, because of a tendency to cause skin irritation and to generate heat. In 1998 the FDA approved 2-octyl cyanoacrylate for use in closing wounds and surgical incisions."
So are all superglues equal? I doubt... I wouldn't trust superglue on my life unless there isn't a better alternative.:P
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superglue
2 people like this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
11 Dec 07
I used superglue recently on a nail that was tearing off so far down that it would have torn skin to remove it, but I haven't actually used it on cuts before. I think I'll try that next time actually!
I'm pretty used to injuring myself, and to be honest I tend to not treat things as well as I should anyway, so I don't thought about it. I usually just let things go until someone else makes me get treatment. What a brat I am, eh?
As for using it on my kid, I would do it if it were an emergency.
2 people like this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
11 Dec 07
There are no holds barred in an emergency! When I researched into this a bit more, it seems that New Skin - but that's not the actual spelling of the product - I forget what it is, is supposed to be a product that doesn't contain the dangerous chemicals that Super Glue does. I sort of figure it contains an entirely different set of dangerous chemicals. ;-) ~Donna
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
11 Dec 07
I guess depending on how deep the wound, I would probably use it in a pinch. Of course you would want to make sure that the wound was cleaned thoroughly before closing it with the glue.
1 person likes this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Jan 08
You are both so right about cleaning it first. I should have mentioned that. Thank you for adding it. I am wishing you a very Happy 2008 ~Donna
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
11 Dec 07
That would be my main concern here, making sure the wound is clean. If it's not, some nasty germs could thrive in there.
I think I'll stick with my trusty old Band-Aids.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
16 Dec 07
I probably wouldn't use it. I'd apply direct pressure to stop the bleeding like it says in all the first aid books and classes.
My dear old dad is a bit of a terror with super glue. I visited him once to find him in bandaids on his fingers with chunks of skin missing. He had recklessly repaired something with the stuff and got himself stuck to what he was repairing. He stuck fast so he used a very sharp knife to cut himself free. Luckily he's a tuff old guy.
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
21 Jan 08
MsTickle, I am sorry that I am laughing at the picture you just painted! I can totally understand you not wanting to even look at a container of super glue after an episode such as this ~Donna
@quirkyjessi (31)
• United States
11 Dec 07
I'm gonna be honest and say that I probably wouldn't. I actually haven't heard of it doing it before now, but I've heard similar ideas. We've had fairly major injuries that we've taken care of ourselves, but it involved other things we keep on hand....lots of gauze, wraps, tapes, etc. I guess with Super Glue I just think of those times I get some on my fingers and such and it hurts like hell getting it off....I can't imagine the feeling it would have once a wound started to heal and it wanted to come off, only to leave me in pain at the thought of it pulling at an already aching area. I guess it makes sense to just add more, but knowing me, I wouldn't be able to leave it alone...I'd keep messing with it because it'd feel like something that should be removed, not added, lol!
1 person likes this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Jan 08
QuirkyJessi, The thing that you think is the worst part is actually the best part! You don't have to remove it. It naturally wears off by itself in about 3-5 days. If the wound is not yet healed enough, I apply a second coat. If it is, I just take a little bit of nail polish remover and wipe the rest of the residue off. You can read my reaction to pain and stitches in a response a few posts above to see why I like it so much. Look at you! Almost a brand new MyLot person. Welcome. Happy New Year ~Donna
@shaggin (72021)
• United States
11 Dec 07
I personally wouldnt use the super glue to keep a wound shut because I would worry that the chemicals in the glue would be harmful to our bodies. If a cut is so bad I think stitches would be better but I'm not a medical professional so I really don't know what studies have been performed.
1 person likes this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Jan 08
Shaggin (I've got to love that name!), Thank you so much for your response. It does sound pretty creepy, doesn't it? I only use it because I have such a dread fear of stitches. I was in the ER once and the nurse got so angry with me she shouted, "Do I have to get the child restraints out and use them on you to keep your arm still?" The only thing I could think to say back was, "Yes, I think that would be a good idea." ~Donna
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Jan 08
By the way, look at you - only 10 more posts and you will be at 100!
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
11 Dec 07
My husband does this and his wounds that have been glued or had duct tape used on look better than ones he had stitched! Personally, I don't like the idea but super glue is sterile. Plus it is the same thing that the hospitals use to glue wounds together.
1 person likes this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Jan 08
Well Sedel, the duct tape is a new one to me! As far as the Super Glue goes, once the wound is cleansed and the glue applied, you are right; there is no way that anything can get into it. Thank you for your response, and maybe you should tell your husband to be a bit more careful. LOL! Wishing you a very happy 2008~Donna
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
11 Dec 07
Ya know, as much as I am aware that superglue is in fact used over stitches quite often etc etc the thought of it just creeps me out LOL..I dont know if I'd want my body glued to itself..it just seems so wrong on so many levels LOL
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Jan 08
For some morbidly funny reason, images of Lorena Bobbit come to my mind when I think of this. I know it is not the same thing but.....this is what I have been thinking all the while! Are we on the same perverted level? ~Donna
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
11 Dec 07
Well it worked well for you so yes i would use it, it makes sense..I would use it on another adult in case of an emergency.I would also use it on a child if i needed to, it really makes a lot of sense..Right before thanksgiving one of my family members child got a cut on the fore head, and her mom took her to the hospital and they glued it back together instead of using stitches, they told her that it would prevent a scar.Now i do not know what kind of glue they used but they did use some type of glue...I am glad that you opened this discussion i think i will try it if i ever need to..
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Jan 08
I was totally amazed the first time someone told me about it too. But, after I saw it used and after I used it, I became a firm believer. ~Donna
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
11 Dec 07
Hideous!
You mean you were not joking?!
Geez, how can you use super glue on yourself - and an exposed wound no less!
Donna! Doesn't it sound dangerous to you? That is your body not some inanimate piece of wood.:P
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Jan 08
LordWarWizard, I do understand your shock and horror. Please research this just a little bit and you will see that it is a common practice. There is a medicinal glue (the name of it is in one of the previous posts but eludes me right now), that hospitals have been using for many years. AHA - New Skin, but it may be spelled NuSkin? But one of my friends is a chef and in her kitchen in the first aid box they have Super Glue. I agree that the chemicals can't be too good for you, but for someone without insurance who has a cut that needs perhaps only one stitch, it might be a very viable option. Happy New Year Love ~Donna
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Jan 08
Michecu, Use it only on something that you think would require no more than one stitch. Anything more than that, get to your emergency room. However, if it was going to take a good bit of time to get to the ER, personally, I would probably try to stop the bleeding by applying it to a larger wound. They would be able to remove it with the "hospital version" of nail polish remover, but the downfall of that is it would really burn! ~Donna
@wahptb (188)
• Canada
11 Dec 07
Obviously from all the posts people do use it and it works. I however saw a medical report that said you shouldn't just because of the chemicals in super glue. They are toxic! They might be in minute quantities but still who wants to poison them self little by little? I would only resort to super glue if it was the only option available to me. I wouldn't use it for a quick fix especially not on children.
@chooochy (356)
•
11 Dec 07
my goodness ive never even heard of putting superglue on a cut, i suppose in an emergency its a great way to hold a cut together until you can get proffesional help but surely i wouldnt recommend it as an everyday solution to healing cuts, but each to their own i guess, but for me personally, il be sticking to plasters, lol
@JamesDeansBack (40)
• Netherlands
20 Jan 08
wow i didn't knew about using superglue... i always use a lighter or some thing like the iron....thanx for the info...:P
