First aid kit addition

[DRanged]

Hey folks.

Whilst installing a large machine the other day I cut a large piece out of my wrist right at the vein (good one justin) still having a few hours to go I remembered a doctor friend told me if you have no time, or the means to stitch it Super Glue it. Well cleaned and dried it and glued it up. It held together for about 4 hours then I glued it again. Got a bit of a lump now but all well. Definately carry a tube in the Rangie from now on.

Justin

[incisor]

was used on my 12 month old grandson not long ago when he gashed his forehead on the edge of shelving in my shop.. works well!

saved grandad much nausea.. i hate to see kids get stitches!

[isuzu110]

As per the Vietnam war

Straight Dope Staff Report: Was Super Glue invented to seal battle wounds in Vietnam? (http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/msuperglue.html)

[x-box]

i regularly use it on cuts i inflict on myself in the lab.... try to use it on the outside of the skin though (push sides of cut together and glue over that) as it's no good inside the raw tissue. if it's a bigger cut, soak something like wax paper or similar (old style sandwich paper) in the glue and apply over the wound.
Good call Justin - superglue is a super thing to have in an emergency

[MickG]

What......run of the mill super glue from Bunnings:eek: Both Andrew and Charlie have had head wounds stuck back together by doctors with superglue but I just assumed it was medical type glue and not the stuff you fix your grandmothers broken vase with:eek:

Good to know and will chuck a tube in the truck;)

[weeds]

we used to do this when rock climbing down at kangaroo cliffs

[abaddonxi]

What......run of the mill super glue from Bunnings:eek: Both Andrew and Charlie have had head wounds stuck back together by doctors with superglue but I just assumed it was medical type glue and not the stuff you fix your grandmothers broken vase with:eek:

Good to know and will chuck a tube in the truck;)

Not quite the same stuff according to the above link (http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/msuperglue.html):



Although cyanoacrylate glues were useful on the battlefield, the FDA was reluctant to approve them for civilian use. In part, this was due to a tendency of the early compounds (made from "methyl-2-cyanoacrylate") to irritate the skin as the glue reacted with water and cured in the skin, releasing cyanoacetate and formaldehyde. A compound called "butyl-2-cyanoacrylate" was developed to reduce toxicity, but suffered from brittleness and cracking a few days after application. Finally an improved cyanoacrylate glue was developed for medical applications called "2-octyl-cyanoacrylate." This compound causes less skin irritation and has improved flexibility and strength--at least three times the strength of the butyl-based compound (reference 2). As a result, in 1998 the FDA approved 2-octyl cyanoacrylate for use in closing wounds and surgical incisions, and in 2001 approved it for use as a "barrier against common bacterial microbes including certain staphylococci, pseudomonads, and Escherichia coli" (reference 2). This latest incarnation was marketed under the name Traumaseal as well as the more popular Dermabond.


Cyanoacrylate glues also find use in medicine for orthopedic surgery, dental and oral medicine (marketed as Soothe-n-Seal), veterinary medicine (Nexaband), and for home use as Band Aid brand Liquid Bandage. It even has been explored as a potential treatment for emphysema, where it can be used to seal off diseased lung passages without the need for invasive surgery.


Is it safe to use ordinary household cyanoacrylate glue as a medical glue? According to Reference 7, most cyanoacrylate glues not designed specifically for medical use are formulated from methyl-2-cyanoacrylate, since it produces the strongest bond. Not only can such glues irritate the skin, during polymerization they can generate significant heat, to the point of causing skin burns. I gather this is a problem only if a large area of skin is affected. But to err on the side of safety, you should tell your brother-in-law he should only use medically-approved glue, not the ordinary kind. And always be careful using it--I know families are supposed to stick together, but there are limits.
Cheers
Simon

[p38arover]

I use household stuff, too.

See also http://www.aulro.com/afvb/camping-tucker-bush-basics/54307-first-aid-kit-whats-yours.html

[Shonky]

Alternatively, how about you use a pad and direct pressure to stem the bleeding and get thyself off to the doctor.

Remember that a flesh wound doesn't just pose a problem regarding bleeding. It can affect all manner of tissue including nerves and connective tissue (especially in place like the hands), not to mention the risk of infection which is significant especially when you are out in the bush.

Putting super glue over it may hold it all together, but it will also glue in all that bacteria and wont allow the wound to dry out and scab naturally.

Regarding using wax paper... If the injury is that big then you should definately be seeking medical aid. :O