Can shop-bought superglue be used for medicinal purposes - e.g. suturing small wounds?

Ive had small wounds sutured with superglue when in A&E (ER to the US-folk) in the past though wasn't told if it was a special kind.

During cold weather I often get cracked skin on my finger tips so I was going to use glue to help protect the wound so that it can heal OK.

In particular, the information I'm after is which brands available in the UK are safe for this purpose.

You know, it would probably work, but I wouldn't chance it cause your skin cracking is superficial and it might just cause an infection. Try this: after getting your bath/shower at night, apply vasoline to your hands and fingers and cover with gloves. Sleep in them. This will keep the moisture in your skin and in a couple of weeks, you will be healed up. Keep the skin moist with special lotions for extra dry skin during the day. Cracked skin is usually because of exposure and dryness. Nurses use a cream that won't wash off and keeps their hands from cracking. godloveya.

Yep---I use it for sealing small cuts.

dunno about that, super glue was originally invented for the purpose of suturing wounds, but do not know if it is a special kind

no....the liquid glue they use in hospital is a medicinal sort....over the counter superglue can cause infection.....you can buy liquid bandaids from your pharmacy/chemist

No, the medical glue is completely different (and sterile!!!). Never EVER use shop bought superglue in wounds!!!!!

Why not just use lotion, regularly. this keeps the skin from drying out so that it will not crack. yes the glue they use in the hospital is a bit different than that you buy over the counter at a SUPPLY shop. they do not sell the medicinal kind in stores. just use lotion, regularly, after each hand washing. your skin will improve and become a bit more plyable so as not to tear. ewww.

I would want to see to you to enjoy

the special glue you are referring to that was used in the er is called dermabond and is NOT the same as the store bought super glue.

don't use regular superglue to treat your skin cracks (if you look on the bottle it states specifically not to use on your skin). the chemicals used in the glue can get into your bloodstream through the skin tears and cause serious infection or poisoning.in addition, your skin won't actually heal correctly and if you try to remove the glue-you will further tear the skin,making the injury worse.

the glue used in the hospital is a special chemical designed to be absorbed by your skin once the wound has healed completely

for dry,cracked skin-check with your doctor about getting a special cream to treat this.

It can be used for this purpose. The product was developed for this purpose.

No, don't do this, you'll ruin your hands.

Smother your hands in a rich moisturizer and cover your hands in cling film. Leave them like that for the evening, then rinse off.

Do this daily till things improve.

Nooooooooooo, the glue they use in hospitals for stitches etc is a special kind, and 'normal' superglue wouldnt work for this type of wound. The best way to prevent cracked fingers is to use some type of handcream such as neutrogena. There are products out there that are similar to small plasters but much much thinner... boots do it, or any pharmacy should do it too.

yes.. but you should check the label to see if there are any toxicants within the product... Many people use this in order to have their cuts heal faster and so they dont get infected as with common bandaids... They are also very similar ot the store bought liquid bandages.

I wouldn't...there is a kinds of chemistry you don't want going right into your blood stream...try moisturtizer instead, before they crack, or gloves?? If you slather cream on your hands, then a pair of cotton gloves as you are sitting watching tv before bed, it will help.