Use of household super glue to close wounds in remote environments

Abstract

Ethyl-cyanoacrylate (household super glue) is similar to medical-grade adhesive and is easily found in supermarkets and hardware shops. It can be used to close wounds when medical care is not easy to access and no other form of wound closure is available, for example when travelling or living in remote environments. While it is inexpensive and can be effective, using super glue to close wounds is not without risk and it could cause tissue damage, infection and significant burns if used incorrectly. This article explains when it would be appropriate to use super glue to close a wound, its similarities to medical-grade adhesive and its antimicrobial properties. It includes a step-by-step guide to using super glue to close a wound. The article aims to prepare nurses to reduce harm when super glue is the only option to close wounds in remote areas.