Cut my thumb pretty badly closing my small sebenza with one hand and not paying enough attention. It was a pretty deep cut, and I had remembered reading on here that you can use super glue to close cuts. I had some industrial-grade cyanoacrylic so I decided to try it (I'd actually been waiting to cut myself to try it out, didn't have to wait too long).
It dried fast, sealed the cut well, edges are lined up, looks and feels great. It worked so well that I started to worry if it was safe. I thought people would use this all the time if it wasn't toxic. Did a little research this morning, turns out that it is safe, and hasn't been approved by the FDA just because no one is willing to pay for the expensive approval process (there is no patent holder). It was actually used in Vietnam for a wide range of injuries, even closing lacerations in livers which are apparently hard to sew. Who knew.
Putting a tube in my first aid kit. Way better than band-aids in my opinion for the type of injuries that knuts are likely to get. I could even work out the next day without worrying about the cut opening up again.
Note: Do not hold me, or this website liable for any of the following. Use common sense. If you are injured and you have any doubt about wether or not you require immediate medical attention, GO SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION. That being said, my advice is as follows:
Using super glue to seal a wound, can be a useful tool, but only if you KNOW what you are doing. Shallow cuts/wound by a very sharp, STERILE object, are entirely different than DEEP wounds caused by NON-STERILE, serrated, dull, or otherwise objects which tear, or rip flesh.
Shallow 'Clean' cuts/wounds made by very sharp, and sterile objects have much less of a chance of introducing debris or other particles that carry infection/disease causing pathogens. They also seal up very evenly, which promotes healing.
Deep, or ripped, torn, or otherwise cuts/wounds made by non-sterile, and/or serrated/jagged/rough objects can introduce debris, bacteria, or other pathogens which can cause infection and disease.
Before proceeding know this: The only reason you are considering using Crazy Glue, is as an emergency option to seal a wound that will not heal otherwise. This should only be used in a pinch, and should not be used in lieu of professional medical care. Do not use crazy glue on wounds that will otherwise heal without it.
For shallow, 'clean' wounds caused by very sharp, sterile objects, do the following:
1. Elevate the wound above your heart if possible
2. Apply pressure at the wound site with gauze, or other sterile absorptive material, checking every 3 minutes to see if the bleeding has stopped. If the wound continues to bleed after 10-15 minutes, seek immediate medical attention.
3. Sterilize the wound by washing it with water and disinfectant. Make sure to fully wash the wound, thereby hopefully evacuating any debris or pathogens.
4. Apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment (neosporin, etc.). Bypass this step if you have any known allergies to antibiotics, and have not used a topical antibiotic before.
5. Apply a thin layer of Crazy Glue to the OUTER wound site. Take great care not to get glue inside the wound itself. Allow it to dry. Examine the wound for continued bleeding. If bleeding has resumed after the glue has dried, do not proceed, seek medical attention.
6. Place a bandage over the wound, taking care to check it by removing the bandage after 6 hours or so.
For deep, ripped, torn, or otherwise, wounds created by NON-STERILE, serrated, rough, jagged, or otherwise objects do the following:
1. Elevate the wound above your heart if possible
2. Apply pressure at the wound site with gauze, or other sterile absorptive material, checking every 3 minutes to see if the bleeding has stopped. If the wound continues to bleed after 10-15 minutes, seek immediate medical attention.
3. Sterilize the wound by washing it with water and disinfectant. Make sure to fully wash AND SCRUB the wound. Make sure you FULLY and PROPERLY evacuate the wound of any debris, particles, or other vectors for infection or disease. If you have ANY question as to what this mean, STOP right here and seek medical attention.
4. Apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment (neosporin, etc.). Bypass this step if you have any known allergies to antibiotics, and have not used a topical antibiotic before.
5. Apply a thin layer of Crazy Glue to the OUTER wound site. Take great care not to get glue inside the wound itself. Do this ONLY if the wound is SEALED PROPERLY. If you have ANY question as to what PROPERLY means, do not apply the glue, and seek medical attention. Otherwise after applying, allow it to dry. Examine the wound for continued bleeding. If bleeding has resumed after the glue has dried, do not proceed, seek medical attention.
6. Place a bandage over the wound, taking care to check it by removing the bandage after 6 hours or so.
For all of the above, before sealing the wound with glue, you need to be very reasonable sure that you have fully sterilized the wound. If you have any doubts at all, do not seal it, seek medical attention. Sealing non sterile wound with crazy glue = BAD!
Also, some people are allergic to crazy glue (rare). If for any reason you develop any abnormal redness, tenderness, itching, burning, near the wound site, or after using the glue, SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION.
Happy "OOOPS!!-ing"
-Freq
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