[pct-l] Stitches

Tue Feb 22 21:50:51 CST 2011

I forgot to add.  Superglue sloughs off the skin after a day or so.  It will
stop the bleeding.

Melanie

On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 7:49 PM, Melanie Clarke <melaniekclarke at gmail.com>wrote:

> Dear PCT,
>
> My son's Cardiologist (congenital heart defect) told me how they were using
> "superglue" (surgical grade) in pediatric heart surgeries in the same year
> that I hiked the JMT.  I told him how Superglue was part of my first aid kit
> for the JMT.  He wasn't too disturbed and I think mentioned that it was the
> same stuff except for the guaranteed sterility of the surgical grade stuff.
> I think there are going to be more pathogens introduced by the dirt on the
> trail than from the superglue tube.  Surgical grade has to be used in open
> heart surgeries where health is fragile and the health and immune system is
> already compromised.  You are not going to get a doctor to prescribe regular
> superglue for you as they can get sued but my son's Cardiologist did not try
> to stop me.  He thought my UL first aid kit was great and clever!
>
> Melanie
>
>
> 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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