Super Glue as First Aid

diceman said:
I'll look in to it, thanks for the tip! I don't plan on using it regularly, just in a worst case kind of scenario. I don't know if I've got the balls to actually stitch myself up, so I'm examining the alternatives!
Click to expand...


I've stitched myself up quite a few times. When I ripped the top off a knuckle, I had to stitch my right hand with my left. It took quite a while to do properly, but eventually I got it done. Being a place where the skin flexes a lot, the stitches did not hold for long. I then used the superglue (on top as said) and got it closed again and healed. There is no discerable scar. I did not seal the reattached skin completely, also as mentioned. I had first rinsed it out well with sterile saline solution (sold in pharmacies for contact lens users). I bandaged over the top loosely, and kept the healing cut clean, and used a triple antibiotic ointment over the top, not in the cut. Sewing my legs and feet were much easier as the holes were not in places where the skin flexed much, even though it was thinner. I never tried staples on myself.

Codger
 
diceman said:
Did you have suture needles, or did you just use a sewing kit?
Click to expand...

It is possible to use a needle and thread, this would not be sterile and will contribute to wound infection. But, if this is an emergency, and you need to close a bleeding wound and you will be in reach of medical care within a few hours, I feel that's it's OK and have seen people come in with suitable amateur stitches, that we reclose and give either IV or oral antibiotics to follow.

I AM NOT SAYING TO DO THIS. I am merely conveying personal experiences.

With that being said, I got some sutures out and opened a package to show you. It's basically monofilament and an attached curved cutting needle that's been sterilized....

http://erdept.smugmug.com/gallery/2356790
 
ERdept said:
....I got some sutures out and opened a package to show you. It's basically monofilament
Click to expand...


Nice to see your contribution.... however, I do not believe one would generally regard Vicryl as a monofilament suture material.... though I may be wrong ;) I believe ethicon regards vicryl (their product) as a "...absorbable, synthetic, BRAIDED suture..."

The prolene I will give you... yep, monofilament.
 
Thanks for the pic ERdept - would you suggest having sutures onhand in a 1st Aid kit for the non-medically trained person, or is the super glue solution better for the untrained?
 
my pleasure. Forums are a great place to exchange information and ideas. Unfortunately it can not by its nature be regulated. Too often information is misinterpreted or misrepresented in a manner that can result in harm to the novice.... kind of buyer beware.:D
 
diceman said:
Did you have suture needles, or did you just use a sewing kit?
Click to expand...

I used the same suture kit they use in hospitals, basically the same procedures and tools too. Yes, the good lizard doctor (where have you been dude?) gives great information. The type wounds I addressed myself were not life threatening, involved no deep punctures or organs, or any arteries or even vessels. If I had detected even the first hint of infection, I would have gone to a physician and helped him buy a new Saab. IMHO, people these days are too quick to utilize emergency medical resources for ouchies.

Codger
 
Codger_64 said:
...the good lizard doctor (where have you been dude?) gives great information...
Codger
Click to expand...

Family illness, personal illness, computer troubles, etc... been a rotten end to the year... No holliday celebration in the Skylizard household this year. Alas, I am getting back on my feet and trying to get reconnected. I'll see you around.

LS
 
diceman said:
Thanks for the pic ERdept - would you suggest having sutures onhand in a 1st Aid kit for the non-medically trained person, or is the super glue solution better for the untrained?
Click to expand...

For the untrained, don't sutures or use superglue. Use pressure and a dressing and get to a hospital. If you really must or want to do something, on light/superficial laceration, use butterflys. Available over the counter. Bigger stuff needs pressure and to get to a hospital.

LSkylizard:

You are taking things too literally. I as making an analogy that sutures (basically string and thread) are like monofilament. They are not necessarily monofilament. It's just an analogy. Don't read into my post too much.

Also, they are all suture material. Suture is a word that just means joining together, you should know this according to your profile. These pieces of steel with thread attached all join tissue together, so they are all called sutures generically. Yes they are absolutely sutures.
 
ERdept said:
...Use pressure and a dressing and get to a hospital. If you really must or want to do something, on light/superficial laceration, use butterflys. Available over the counter. Bigger stuff needs pressure and to get to a hospital...
Click to expand...

Absolutely. People often seem to forget about the fact that there are numrous very simple things they can do without being exotic, technical, or chemically inclined. Direct pressure and steri-strips or butterflies are still very effective and used by those folks trained, skilled, and capable of using other more fancy techniques.

Yeh, just a jab on that vicryl:D

ERdept said:
LSkylizard:...You are taking things too literally. I as making an analogy that sutures (basically string and thread) are like monofilament. They are not necessarily monofilament...
Click to expand...
I actually was not taking it "literally". I checked-out your photo link and saw vicryl. You and I know vicryl to be braided. Unfortunately, numerous forum readers may not. They may simply recall a posted picture of a Vicryl package and add it to their "do-it-yourself-I want to be a field doctor kit too". That is all.
 
Hey all, the stuff that you are calling 'super glue for medical uses' is called 'New Skin' liquid bandage it comes in 10ml/0.3 fl oz bottles 2" high, or individual packs in boxes of 10 or so. I just carry the indy' pack, because if I'm crackin' open the package i must'va done something really stupid to myself with a sharp edge! You DO NOT SEAL any field wounds closed, even with proper irrigation there will be continual drainage until you get further medical help. If SOL, then close it with a few dabs, and let the wound self flush, washing with soap and water daily until it has healed. Keeping a dressing on it is necessary...liquid bandage my A**!:eek:
 
LSkylizard said:
Absolutely. People often seem to forget about the fact that there are numrous very simple things they can do without being exotic, technical, or chemically inclined. Direct pressure and steri-strips or butterflies are still very effective and used by those folks trained, skilled, and capable of using other more fancy techniques.

Yeh, just a jab on that vicryl:D

I actually was not taking it "literally". I checked-out your photo link and saw vicryl. You and I know vicryl to be braided. Unfortunately, numerous forum readers may not. They may simply recall a posted picture of a Vicryl package and add it to their "do-it-yourself-I want to be a field doctor kit too". That is all.
Click to expand...

Ooops, sorry. I've lost my humor as of late. Been jumping down people's throats, even my friends and I don't know why. Probably life and age related changes starting to get to me.:(
 
I love New Skin and just glued a machete cut on my finger last weekend, already nice and healed up.:thumbup:
 
ERdept said:
Ooops, sorry. I've lost my humor as of late. Been jumping down people's throats, even my friends and I don't know why. Probably life and age related changes starting to get to me.:(
Click to expand...
I unfortunately know that feeling far too well of late:(
 
LSkylizard said:
..their "do-it-yourself-I want to be a field doctor kit too"...
Click to expand...

I understand. I have a good number of medical professionals who do this in my line of work....their "do-it-yourself-I want to be a pool doctor kit". Every year someone explodes their skimmer by mixing the wrong chemicals, or goes to the emergency room after inhaling a concentrated chlorine gas from their chlorinator, or tries to bandage a dangerously deteriated liner, only to suffer a blow out and structural damage that could have been avoided by letting someone who knows what they are doing handle it in a timely fashion. But likewise, I have to recognize that some people have a degree of competence to handle the more mundane repairs and maintenance themselves.


LSkylizard said:
..Family illness, personal illness, computer troubles, etc... been a rotten end to the year... No holliday celebration in the Skylizard household this year. Alas, I am getting back on my feet and trying to get reconnected...
Click to expand...

The holiday was cancelled here in Codger's place as well. I'm hoping that things will be looking up for both of us in this new year. :thumbup:

Codger
 
JStrider said:
I've used it several times... you dont put it in the cut and push it closed. push the cut closed and put the glue on top and hold it closed while it dries

It works pretty good on clean cuts... but if its jagged it doesnt work very well.
Click to expand...

That's how I glued my finger shut. The wound was a knife cut. The skin was split open from one side of my finger to the other. It needed stitches b/c:

1) I could see all the cool stuff inside.
2) Would not stay closed with a compress
3) Butterflies (steristrips did not hold)

As a last ditch attempt to save on a dr visit I held the wound closed and put drops of super glue on the outside of the clean & dry wound area. The super glue would hold for a day and I would re apply the next. It would not hold up to heavy use without the wound splitting open. This is my expeirience for what it's worth.

For those that say it does not work, obviously they have not used it and are speaking out of ignorance (or stupidity) as many on these types of forums often do. Just wade through the bs. and you'll find some good info.
 
Steristrips don't hold well on their own, so use a skin adhesive called Mastisol applied to the skin around the wound.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top