[pct-l] Stitches

[Eric]

I should also say that this is just my personal opinion about super glue,
based on what I was told by *my* WFA instructor.  Not intended to be medical
advice. Good idea on the multi-purpose though!

Regards,
Eric

On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 3:56 PM, Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:

> I got my info about super glue from my WOFR instructor. It was awhile ago
> (like 20 years almost), but that's what I know.
> I've used super glue to close wounds. It works great. This was after
> applying "well aimed, direct pressure" and getting the bleeding to stop. The
> glue just kept the wound from reopening. I also bandage them as well. I
> don't recall being told NOT to use alcohol, but that the time I didn't carry
> alcohol. We just flushed with the cleanest water available as per
> instructions. I'm willing to give up the alcohol idea. Seems like there is a
> reason they use it in the hospital though.
>
> I'm gonna have to question the glue needing to be surgically removed. When
> I used it on myself, it came off like a scab as the cut healed. I'm not
> suggesting you pour it into the bottom of the wound. I use it to just close
> the wound at the skin. I've only done it twice. Both times on cuts that were
> going to likely keep reopening without the aid of super glue.
>
> If you really want the "good stuff" there is this:
> http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00061MUAG/ref=nosim/kkorg-20
> This is like the stuff used everywhere outside the US for years. The FDA
> never approved super glue because it can cause skin irritation. They have
> finally approved this new variant:
> http://www.amazon.com/Dermabond-Topical-Adhesive-5ml-vial/dp/B0024L19I0
>
> HYOH, and do NOT listen to me for medical advice, ever! I'm not spending
> the extra $$ though. I'll carry the tiny little bottle of super glue the
> same as I have for almost 20 years. It can be used for lots of other things
> besides wound care as well. Multi purpose is the goal, right? ;)
>
>
> On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 3:39 PM, Eric <johner27 at evergreen.edu> wrote:
>
>> Paul, I definitely agree with you. I recently completed a WFA course and
>> our
>> professor repeatedly told us to just clean with water.  Also, as far as
>> super glue goes, I hope everyone would NOT use it as if you close a wound
>> with this, the glue will need to be surgically removed.  The better
>> solution
>> would be to stop the bleeding, wrap the wound, and get out of the
>> backcountry ASAP.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Eric
>>
>> On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 11:17 AM, Paul Robison <paulrobisonhome at yahoo.com
>> >wrote:
>>
>> > Sorry to chime in like this but it is VERY VERY important you don't
>> clean
>> > with alcohol if medical attention is not near...
>> > ...Secondary infections like gangrene and other worse options are caused
>> by
>> > alcohol cured wounds.  Alcohol destroys simple bacteria but t also
>> destroys
>> > your body's antibodies in the area, leaving your wound as basically a
>> Petrie
>> > dish for whatever the strongest thing there happens to be
>> >
>> > Unless broad spectrum Antibiotics are available within a day, DO NOT
>> clean
>> > with alcohol.  Irrigate with water and leave he bacteria alone until
>> medical
>> > help is around...
>> >
>> > About superglue... Try make a non toxic glue made from
>> > polyacrimides<(spelling?). That are inert, but it's like 60$ a tube at
>> > amazon.
>> >
>> > I'll take a little blood poisoning on the far outside chance that could
>> > happen.  Superglue is mildly carcinogenic in the blood stream, but so
>> are
>> > thousands of other polymer based products we put on our skin.
>> >
>> >
>> > ... Btw, this is much more important in bush situations,  but assess
>> your
>> > own safety... Most likely if you get hurt you'll be found in an hour or
>> two,
>> > but in some places it could be a while.  First aid is a seriously
>> important
>> > skill and I recommend everyone study what he us marines do for medical
>> > attention... Their field medics (navy medics I believe? Unsure) are the
>> > best.
>> > Sent from my iPod
>> >
>> > On 2011-02-22, at 12:24 PM, Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >
>> > > Mr Bulk is right, use super glue. Some alcohol can be used to
>> disinfect,
>> > > then close the wound with super glue. The medical industry won't
>> openly
>> > > endorse this, but it's a pretty common practice. There are 2 concerns
>> > with
>> > > this though. First, it creates a very well sealed closure to the
>> wound.
>> > > While this is good for keeping things out, it also keeps anything in.
>> > > Irrigate and clean the wound well before closing! Second, the medical
>> > folks
>> > > are concerned about the glue being absorbed into the body. While I
>> > haven't
>> > > heard anyone say it's bad, it's reasonable for them to err on the side
>> of
>> > > caution. My theory is, we're exposed to so many toxins in modern
>> society,
>> > > the risk associated with using super glue to close a wound is probably
>> > > smaller than the risk of not dealing with the wound.
>> > >
>> > > I carry a tiny bottle of super glue in my first aid kit. Actually,
>> thanks
>> > > for reminding me of this, I should probably get a new one. Mine is
>> > several
>> > > years old. It's unopened, but for $2, I think I'll replace it ;)
>> > >
>> > > On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 9:09 AM, Nitnoid1 <nitnoid1 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>> > >
>> > >> Super glue may work but you would have to look it up. I've heard it
>> > being
>> > >> used in emergency situations far from an ER.
>> > >>
>> > >> The Incredible Bulk
>> > >>
>> > >> On Feb 22, 2011, at 8:03 AM, Amanda L Silvestri <
>> aslive at sbcglobal.net>
>> > >> wrote:
>> > >>
>> > >>> I have always been careful while out hiking/backpacking and so have
>> > never
>> > >> yet been cut much worse that a scape or scratch, never the less, it
>> > seems to
>> > >> me that the possibility of tripping or falling (off a slick log or
>> loose
>> > >> rock cliff or whatever) or impaling oneself with a branch, is a
>> > possibility.
>> > >> Even so, I have yet to see in the content list for a First Aid kit, a
>> > >> curved needle for stitching up lacerations.  I would not enjoy having
>> to
>> > do
>> > >> this, but I can imagine a situation where a butterfly bandage might
>> not
>> > be
>> > >> enough.  It is likewise not hard to imagine this happening some days
>> > away
>> > >> from a road crossing/trail head.  Does anyone carry anything for
>> > stitches in
>> > >> their First Aid kit or do most people just use regular needle and
>> thread
>> > (or
>> > >> dental floss) hoping that will do the trick?
>> > >>>
>> > >>> Shepherd
>> > >>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>> --
>> Because we don't think about future generations, they will never forget
>> us.
>> ~Henrik Tikkanen
>>
>> “The things you own end up owning you.”* -*Tyler Durden, *Fight Club*
>>
>> "The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a
>> monthly
>> salary."—David Hieatt
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-- 
Because we don't think about future generations, they will never forget us.
~Henrik Tikkanen

“The things you own end up owning you.”* -*Tyler Durden, *Fight Club*

"The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly
salary."—David Hieatt