Is it safe to use cyanoacrylate (crazy glue) to close a cut?

From the Guidelines

Using cyanoacrylate (crazy glue) to close cuts at home is not recommended and potentially dangerous. While medical-grade cyanoacrylates like Dermabond are used in healthcare settings, over-the-counter crazy glue is not sterile, may contain toxic additives, and can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions 1. For minor cuts, clean the wound with soap and water, apply direct pressure to stop bleeding, and use an appropriate bandage.

Key Considerations

• For deeper cuts that gape open, are longer than half an inch, are on the face, or won't stop bleeding, seek medical attention to minimize infection risk and promote proper healing.
• The difference between medical adhesives and household crazy glue is significant - medical versions are specifically formulated to be less irritating to tissue, have appropriate flexibility, and are sterile to prevent infection 1.
• Primary wound closure is not recommended for wounds, with the exception of those to the face, which should be managed with copious irrigation, cautious debridement, and preemptive antibiotics (strong, low) 1.

Wound Care

• Clean the wound with soap and water
• Apply direct pressure to stop bleeding
• Use an appropriate bandage
• Seek medical attention for deeper cuts or those that won't stop bleeding

Medical Adhesives

• Medical-grade cyanoacrylates like Dermabond are used in healthcare settings
• Over-the-counter crazy glue is not sterile and may contain toxic additives
• Medical versions are specifically formulated to be less irritating to tissue, have appropriate flexibility, and are sterile to prevent infection 1

From the Research

Safety of Using Cyanoacrylate for Cuts

• There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that specifically addresses the safety of using cyanoacrylate (crazy glue) to close a cut.
• However, the studies suggest that for minor wounds, irrigation and cleaning are crucial, and occlusion of the wound is key to preventing contamination 2.
• Tissue adhesives are mentioned as being equally effective for low-tension wounds with linear edges that can be evenly approximated 2.
• It is essential to note that the use of cyanoacrylate for closing cuts is not explicitly mentioned in the studies, but the general principles of wound care emphasize the importance of a moist environment for healing 3 and the potential drawbacks of using certain topical agents, such as antibiotic ointments, which may not be necessary for all types of wounds and could lead to allergic reactions or contribute to antibiotic resistance 4, 5.

Wound Care Principles

• Moist wound care has been established as a standard therapy for chronic wounds and is also beneficial for acute wounds, including minor cuts and scrapes 3.
• The choice of dressing should be limited to products that fulfill the principles of moist wound management and are easy to use, such as hydroactive colloid gels 3.
• For minor wounds, keeping the wound clean, covered, and moist is crucial for promoting healing and preventing infection 2.

Topical Agents and Wound Healing

• Topical antibiotic ointments may not be necessary for the treatment of clean surgical wounds and can potentially cause allergic contact dermatitis and contribute to antibiotic resistance 4, 5.
• Non-antibiotic, petrolatum-based ointments have been shown to be as effective as antibiotic-based ointments for wound healing in some studies 4, 5.