Vetbond and Super Glue instead of stitches for large cuts
Doctors used to stitch large cuts or cuts in areas, such as the head, where you have a bit of tension
on the skin. Basically any wound that would not close by itself. In recent years doctors have started to use
medical skin glue aka surgical glue. Wounds closed with surgical glue can heal without any scars if the glue is applied properly and you don't need to come back to pull any thread.
Surgical glue, is actually just a form of cyanoacrylate glue. Ethyl-2 cyanoacrylate is your ordinary super glue or krazy glue and it is so cheap that it would not be profitable for the
pharma industry. They made therefore other formulations such as 2-octyl cyanoacrylate or methylcyanoacrylate which they could patent and sell at a higher price. However ordinary ethy-2 cyanoacrylate would do the job as well.
When you choose an ethyl cyanoacrylate glue such as Super Glue and Crazy Glue then check that it is a liquid.
It's better to avoid glues that contain additional substances to thicken the glue. If it says "gel" on the bottle then it's wrong.
In the past only extreme hiking people would carry Super Glue in their first aid kits.
With the medical services degrading in Canada and around the world I find it helpful to be able to have self treatment options even if you are close to a hospital because it's still so much faster. A fresh wound that is properly closed within a few minutes heals not only faster but it can also heal without any scars. I have used it with great success.
3M vetbond and other cyanoacrylate glues
If you are not comfortable with Super Glue and Krazy Glue (=ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate) then take a look at Vetbond (n-butyl cyanoacrylate). Vetbond is an over the counter surgical glue for farm animals and pets.
3M vetbond, n-butyl cyanoacrylate. It is blue to see it better. I don't really find that useful. I prefer actually clear krazy glue.
How to use cyanoacrylate glues on wounds
Don't use it on dirty wounds.
Don't use it near your eyes.
It's good to have a skilled person who can help especially if the wound is in an area where you can't reach it or see it (e.g on the back or on your head).
The technique: 1) Put a bit of oil or vaseline on your hands. You want it especially on your thumb and the index finger. This is to avoid that your fingers stick accidently to the wound area in case you get glue onto your fingers. 2) Wipe the blood off and then apply the glue quickly. It's not a problem if blood keeps flowing but try to minimize the amount of blood. 3) You want to "spot-weld" the skin. Don't put any glue into the wound. Apply glue at the edge of the skin on both sides of the cut as small dots about 1/4 inch apart (about 5mm apart). You go with the nozzle of glue bottle directly onto the skin. Because the nozzle is touching the skin, glue will go directly on top of the skin (not on top of the blood) even if there is still fresh blood flowing. 4) press the skin gently together to close the wound and hold it for a moment. It will glue instantly. Avoid getting glue onto your fingers while closing it.
The glue is applied to the edge of the skin not into the wound! It's however not a big deal if a drop gets accidently into the wound. Don't worry about it. Keep going.
Check that the wound stays closed and then put a bandage on top. You can add a bit of yarrow powder or my yarrow wound patches (see previous post) to stop the bleeding. A larger wound might keep bleeding for a while even if it is properly closed with glue spots. Use yarrow after the wound is closed not before.
You can train on a fresh piece of steak if you want. A real wound might bleed more but this is a starting point. Throw the steak way. Don't eat it. Any cyanoacrylate glue that has been opened once will dry out in a few month even if you close it again.
This is obviously not for everybody. You need to be able to handle this procedure from an emotional point of view and stay calm in order to perform the procedure properly.
Note: I am no recommending anything. I am sharing my experience and how I have used glue in first aid situations. This is for information only.
