superglue as quick fix for a cut?

Hey just wondering if anyone has ever used superglue as a quick fix for a cut. I happened to slice my palm pretty deep and don't want it to get in the way of training. I'd normally just let it heal on its own but I've got a pretty important event coming up in about a week and could use some home remedies if anyone has got one.

John

That's what superglue was invented for

I've only ever used it either on smaller cuts or to hold everything together until I could get to a hospital. As far as "quick fixes", the only thing I can say is do everything you can to not open it back up. My knuckles used to split open all the time, and until I adjusted my hand/finger position (I didn't want to stop training either :oops: ) to not open it, they didn't heal.

I hear senzu beans work good, though.

Since a friend, who was one of the assistant coaches for the German Olympic Team, recommended it years ago I have used superglue several times on wounds that would have required stitches. He said a plastic surgeon told him that it is the same product that is used in surgery, it just doesn't cost $300 a tube.

Utilized properly, superglue will often leave a very thin, hairline scar.

1) Do not use superglue, or attempt to have stitches done, if the wound has already been open for 10-12 hours. If this time period has already elapsed, the wound will need to be allowed to heal from the inside out. Yes, it does take substantially longer. Depending upon the depth of the wound, up to 2+ weeks. Yes, this is very annoying.

2) If you are within the required time frame, after cleaning the wound, heavily soak it in hydrogen peroxide for 10-15 minutes.

3) Dry the wound carefully and then apply a layer of neosporin. Remove the excess and dry the edges once more.

4) Pinch the edges of the wound together (do not overpinch!) and apply a very thin layer of superglue. Too thick a coating will take a very unreasonably long time to dry. Multiple thin coats dry quite rapidly.

5) Once the layer of superglue has dried, secure the area with butterfly bandages. NOTE: placing the butterfly bandages on prematurely before the superglue has dried WILL lead to an interesting experience later!

6) Depending upon the depth of the wound, you may need to repeat the superglue application in a few days.

Yours in Fitness,

Coach Sommer

This is very interesting. My reaction to superglue in a wound was negative at first, but after reading what you wrote, Coach, it seems like it can be a very useful thing.

I will remember to keep superglue in my first aid kit for now on.

Great information there, topic bookmarked for future reference.

LOL @ #5!!!

Awesome post, Coach!

This method is very nearly identical to what we were taught in Athletic Training. Only differences were 6 hour time window and shorter soak time (probably not a serious issue, quite honestly). A very good way to deal with injuries if you have the right stuff at the right time.

It will help to pre-wrap and then tape OVER the butterfly + superglue application if you want things to hold up during training or a competition. You want a friction barrier between the direct contact closure (superglue + butterflies) and, let's say, a bar. Or rings.

IF you don't use the pre-wrap, go ahead and re-read #5 on Coach's post... it can be an interesting experience. Different, but equally interesting.

Coach,

Thank you for such a thorough reply.

I was preparing a chuck roast to be cooked in a crock pot but it wouldn't fit. Cutting it was taking too long, so I snapped the bone in half with my hands and a sharp piece happened to slice in the most inconvenient of places: where the bar / rings make contact in between the index and thumb .

This protocol worked perfectly and it feels as good as new. As per your recommendations, I avoided supergluing bandages to my body

-Johnny

P.S. Good luck to you and your boys in Reno!

I have used it many times. I get razor cuts handling sheet steel. If you do put it in a first aid kit make sure it is marked not to be taken out. People keep taking it out of the ones I put them in as they must think its in there by mistake! also make sure the top is not glued on from the last use, and that a new one is already punctured. It is best to be able to just open and apply it with one hand ASAP. If I am quick enough I can have a razor cut glued up before blood even appears, this heals in no time. I now have several hidden around the factory and people will see me running around like a madman holding a cut on my hand shut with the other hand trying to find them.

I once also used it to glue a plastic splint onto my skin as I had a cut between my finger & thumb which kept reopening as my skin creased.

Those single use superglue things are probably a better option.

John Sapinoso said:

Coach,

Thank you for such a thorough reply.

I was preparing a chuck roast to be cooked in a crock pot but it wouldn't fit. Cutting it was taking too long, so I snapped the bone in half with my hands and a sharp piece happened to slice in the most inconvenient of places: where the bar / rings make contact in between the index and thumb .

This protocol worked perfectly and it feels as good as new. As per your recommendations, I avoided supergluing bandages to my body

-Johnny

P.S. Good luck to you and your boys in Reno!

Broken bones are sharp! That was the worst part about food prep on night shift in the galley... when you've got 130 lbs of ribs to chop up and they are all partially thawed it is pretty much inevitable that you're going to get cut by bone at some point.

Glad to hear your hand is feeling great!

never heard of such thing, i am both intrigued and a little taken back. hopefully i wont get a cut anytime soon but i might try it.

Just sliced my thumb open last night, it is a pretty nice cut and was bleeding heavily.

about to try this. 

I'd like to express a warning. Usual superglue is cyanoacrylate - this has been used in medicine, notably in the Vietnam war. It's quite  poisonous, but probably not much resorption takes place. Meanwhile they're using more elaborate chemical compounds in medicine which avoid this problem.

 Interesting.

 I've heard of some crazy crossfitters crazy glueing their rips to continue but never anything beyond that. Neato.

For a quick fix on small cuts and rips, it should be okay as long as you clean it up well first... deeper and larger ones may require stitches; there are limits to DIY.

If it doesn't look good and hurts tomorrow, have it checked by a professional.

What? No love for duct tape?  for shame...

Superglue is really excellent if you get a fissure, too.

Joshua Slocum said:

Superglue is really excellent if you get a fissure, too.

Primate said:

What? No love for duct tape?  for shame...

Hmm... that was ill-timed...

Charm said:

Hmm... that was ill-timed...

bikini wax?