super glue in first aid kit?

[JumbleDuck]

I used "medical" superglue many times when working as a GP. It was coloured purple but worked exactly the same. As mentioned not very good if bleeding quickly. Apply pressure to the wound to stop bleeding, then hold the wound edges together as neatly as you can and apply the glue along the wound.

As a matter of interest, how deep down do you want the bond to go. My imagination says that if you were to glue all the way to the bottom of a cut you'd be creating a barrier between the two sides which would prevent them joining up ... but realise that I actually have no idea if this is how cuts heal, or if they mend from the bottom or what. Can you enlighten me?

 

[Yotdoc]

Superglue only really works for fairly superficial cuts- the glue bonds the surface layers of skin when the cut edges are brought together before "welding:" the glue will not bond well if applied too deeply- for that you really need stitches, which also compress local blood vessels to help achieve haemostasis (stops bleeding) particularly with small arterial cuts. Really deep cuts need deep stitches to bring the underlying tissues together, especially if there is significant bleeding, or alternatively we use mattress sutures( a single stitch that is inserted both deeply and superficially) but you wouldn't want these inserted without a fair bit of local anaesthetic.

 

[nigelmercier]

As a Paramedic I use both Steristrips and glue regularly and have both on the boat and in my car kit...

Any idea where one can buy n-butyl cyanoacrylate adhesive?

 

[prv]

Any idea where one can buy n-butyl cyanoacrylate adhesive?

The article posted upthread gave a couple of brand-names for veterinary versions, which are cheaper but supposedly the same stuff (differing only in the paperwork). I guess Messrs Page and Brin could find suppliers, given the names?

EDIT: I checked the place where I bought many of my first-aid supplies for the new boat's kit, and they do indeed stock the human version. But be prepared to spend if you really don't like the idea of the horse stuff: http://www.sellesmedical.co.uk/store/product/3513-Histoacryl-Topical-Tissue-Adhesive-Pack-of-5-

Pete

 

[nigelmercier]

The article posted upthread gave a couple of brand-names for veterinary versions, which are cheaper but supposedly the same stuff ...

Indeed, but even that is expensive. Surely NBCA is available as a non-approved product?

 

[cliff]

because who carries curved needles and surgical thread?

Me, and plenty of them (10) plus local anaesthetic etc.

 

[KellysEye]

There is a medical glue we have used successfully it doesn't come off easily you have to peel it off. I definitely wouldn't use superglue if you got an infection in the cut there is no way you could treat it. There are also side effects. 1.The curing process creates an exothermic reaction (heat) which can cause further tissue damage. 2.The process releases cyanoacetate and formaldehyde - both irritants to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. We also carried Steristrips and used them for cuts that didn't need stitching. If you want to staunch blood and you don't have sterile swabs kitchen roll is sterile out of the pack. For burns use Flamzene cream and clingfilm which is also sterile out of the pack.

We carried needles and surgical sutures but you need to know what you are doing, for example if you don't sew beneath the depth of the cut gangrene will set in. If you want to practice use a piece of pork with the skin on, cut to different depths then check if you have sewn beneath them.

>regularly used in A&E instead of stitches.

No they don't they use medical glue for the reasons above, you can check that at http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2552.aspx?CategoryID=72&SubCategoryID=727

 

[basic]

Do you carry it?

I hope to add it to my kit soon (unless a doctor on here says NO).

Liquid plasters fall off.

Cut myself camping this summer whilst pitching tent, only small but deep enough for stiches, no time for A&E, so cinched finger joint closed, germaline and then super glue. Months later all seems ok.

Realise it is only an emergency first aid stop gap, but just wondered if others use it and if I step on someone elses boat it would be nice to know they had it on board, because who carries curved needles and surgical thread?

Superglue was invented by the Americans for use in the Vietnam war by medics and troops in the field. I would not hesitate to use it.

 

[Leighb]

As a matter of interest, how deep down do you want the bond to go. My imagination says that if you were to glue all the way to the bottom of a cut you'd be creating a barrier between the two sides which would prevent them joining up ... but realise that I actually have no idea if this is how cuts heal, or if they mend from the bottom or what. Can you enlighten me?

If the cut is very deep and important tissue layers have been divided, then superglue is probably not the best choice. I would not apply it to the cut surfaces as you are implying, but only to the surface with the edges held close together. A deep bleeding cut needs sutures, IMHO.

 

[boguing]

But if it is a bad wound or bleeding heavily do not remove the tightly wrapped insulation tape dressing until you get to A&E - the wound without pressure may well re-open

Agreed. But there is the question of whether to go to A&E at all.

I cut a deeply into a finger tip last year. Only 'loadsa pressure' would stop the bleeding. The next day I started to feel really ill. Thinking that it had probably got infected I ended up in A&E. And got stitched.

Once a nurse had removed my dressing, we realised that Idiot hadn't released the pressure for eighteen hours or so. I suppose that I'd tried to avoid wasting A&E time (theirs and mine) hoping that it would clot.

Whether just releasing the pressure would have worked I don't know. Prob for most people, but I'm on anti-coagulants which make the process much slower.

 

[KellysEye]

>Superglue was invented by the Americans for use in the Vietnam war by medics and troops in the field. I would not hesitate to use it.

Yes it was but it was stopped as was made clear in the URL posted:
During the Vietnam war it was used in field surgery with good effect, however, despite the promising results it was not approved by the Unites States Food and Drug Administration due to the unknown toxicity and two significant side effects during the polymerization process:
1.The curing process creates an exothermic reaction (heat) which can cause further tissue damage.
2.The process releases cyanoacetate and formaldehyde - both irritants to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs.

>Liquid plasters fall off.

I've never heard medical glue being called a liquid plaster, it just glue. You have to stop the bleeding before you use the glue. We have used it many times and it has never come off but you can't use it on joints because of the bending.

 

[Sailingsaves]

>
>Liquid plasters fall off.

I've never heard medical glue being called a liquid plaster, it just glue. You have to stop the bleeding before you use the glue. We have used it many times and it has never come off but you can't use it on joints because of the bending.

http://www.ocado.com/product/704110...r&source=PLA&gclid=CPjGqeCk2roCFWTHtAodMS8Ahg

This is what I call a liquid plaster _ limited use.
I have used normal superglue; shouldn't have because of statements on here PLUS I think I trapped air in there as when I knock finger I still get a slight twinge 4 months after event. That is why I stopped bleeding and stuck germolene in there to stop the possibility of infection as the medical people and Ship's Captain document states. But I think it is ok. Lesson learnt.
I will be on the lookout for vets' glue in future.

If sailing for a distance, I imagine one can visit the GP and ask for prescription for local anaesthetic and other drugs (anti-biotics) to take with you and then buy proper needles, silk, etc.

Did you hear about the poor Vende Globe sailor (I think) that had to sew his own tongue back on?????!!!!!!! with help via radio.

 

[nigelmercier]

Did you hear about the poor Vende Globe sailor (I think) that had to sew his own tongue back on?????!!!!!!! with help via radio.

I once fell off the boat onto the quay (drunk) and bit completely through my bottom lip, about 3cm long but still attached in 2 or 3 places. Just put a plaster on it, it healed OK, but I can still feel it inside.

We've got a Cat C First Aid Kit on board; out of date now so I guess I should replace it. My latest acquisition is an AED.

 

[MCL]

regularly used in A&E instead of stitches.

Although the wound glue we use is sterile, last thing you want is an infection. I wouldn't advise it, but then again I am an A&E nurse with a registration to think of!