Glue in the Wounds: Can Super Glue Mend Cuts?

The New York Times "The Claim" column wonders: Can Super Glue heal wounds? The short answer, according to NYT health answer man Anahad O'Connor, is yes. A longer answer yes, but you would be foolish to use it when you can use Dermabond, which is made for that purpose. 
O'Connor informs us that "during the Vietnam War, emergency medics began using the all-purpose glue to seal battle wounds in troops headed for surgery. The glue was so good at stemming bleeding that it was credited with saving many lives. Nowadays, professional athletes often close small cuts with Super Glue or similar products to get back in the game in a hurry. The glues are also used by veterinarians, and many people keep a tube around the house to help them out of a medical pinch. It is believed that the glues — made from the chemical cyanoacrylate — not only stop bleeding quickly, but also lead to less scarring."
For practical purposes, not to be confused with posts on SportsGeezer, Anahad recommends a similar, antibacterial form of the substance called 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate, which is  marketed as Dermabond. For larger wounds, Geezer recommends duct tape.
Read more from Anahad O'Connor.

Comments

[Eric Nisonger]

I used Dura Bond in the 1980's because I had severely cut my finger. It sealed up the wound and didn't leave a scar. I thought I ahd discovered something new. A doctor friend of mine told me that they were in the approval stage for using it in humans. It is GOOD stuff!