QC#49 – BooHoo Super Glue

I accidentally cut myself working on a project in the basement.

Super glue was originally used as a treatment for wounds during the Vietnam War.

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Music By:
Music by Jason Shaw (RP-Clattertrap)
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Project Inspired By:

Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanoacrylate

WARNING: When treating injuries, you take responsibilities for your own actions. Common super glues from the grocery stores are slightly different than the super glues used in hospitals. Even though they can work well, they should generally be avoided if treating injuries, when modern medical treatment is available. Risks of using may include generation of heat, formaldehyde, or fingers sticking to skin. Misuse, or careless use may result in serious injury. Use of this video content is at your own risk.

Project History & More Info:

Despite how it may look, I didn’t cut myself just to make this video. Our fridge had a water leak and while trying to fix it, my knife slipped and cut my finger. I grabbed my camera and set it up to make this video.

Years ago, I was reading in wikipedia that cyanoacrylate was used in the Vietnam War to help heal wounded soldiers on the battle field. That seemed like a really unique use and I wondered if it still worked.

With the cost of medical expenses so high in the USA, I was curious to know if we could heal ourselves and save some money at the same time. So I started super gluing my wounds together, with really pleasing results.

Since then, I’ve heard that even hospitals use a type of super glue in lieu of stitches as well. However, it’s important to note that medial super glue has slightly different properties than the stuff that comes from the grocery store. Common super glue for treatment of wounds really isn’t recommended, but in small quantities and proper precautions, it seems to work well. In either case, if you try it you take responsibility for your own actions.

Based on my experience, if the wound is thoroughly cleaned and sterilized before the glue is applied, the glue indeed does help stop the bleeding and hold the skin together long enough grab hold, and in some cases can help heal without a scar.

Super Glue or Cyanoacrylate is an acrylic resin which rapidly polymerizes in the presence of water.

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: The generation of heat and formaldehyde.

Though it’s not exactly FDA approved, it can get the job done with surprisingly nice results.

Of course I can’t really recommend it, but it’s what we do 🙂