Using Household Super Glue on Minor Cuts, Nicks and Scrapes

by Judy Ellis, Wirejewelry.com

Wire Jewelry Tool Tip for January 13th, 2017

Using Household Super Glue on Minor Cuts, Nicks and Scrapes

by Judy Larson

A few good thoughts today from our good friend, Judy Larson.

Judy Says:

Our hands are essential to our jewelry making. I know I do not take care of mine as well as I should so even though I use lots of moisturizing lotion, treatment gloves at night, etc., the skin on the tips of my pointer fingers and thumbs cracks during the winter because it is so dry.

Also, working with fabric, paper or wood is extremely drying on my hands out as well. It then becomes painful and difficult to work on any project that requires fine hand work. And don’t get me started on all the nicks, scrapes and cuts that happen in the studio.

In 1942, Dr. Harry Coover of Kodak Laboratories developed the forerunner of super glue-cyanoacrylates. He first demonstrated the bonding strength capabilities of super glue on “I’ve Got A Secret” in 1959. During the Vietnam War, field medics used super glue under battlefield conditions to stop bleeding and even close some wounds.

Over the years, I have found that if I use a nail file to smooth the area where the crack is appearing, the crack can lessen. I then disinfect the crack, cut or scrape, and then coat the area with a drop of super glue. It may sting a bit, but the area is sealed. I continue to file and super glue the area for a few days until crack is gone, compared to 7-10 days it took to heal before I started doing this.

Disclaimer: The Mayo Clinic says that household super glue has been used to seal small cuts. But if you are injured, you should always seek medical attention first.

An antibacterial alternative to household super glue is Dermabond, available only by prescription. If you end up with lots of nicks and scrapes because of your jewelry work, it may be worth a trip to the doctor to obtain a prescription.

New Skin Liquid Bandage, which provides a tough, breathable, waterproof protective cover for hard-to-cover cuts and scrapes, is available over-the-counter at the drug store or grocery store and works pretty well. It does sting when you put it on like super glue, but you do not need a prescription for it.

I’m sure we’ve all experienced a few nicks or cuts when creating our jewelry. Below is an option for any jewelry maker to help protect those fingers plus give you more grip while your working.

For more great tips from Judy Larson –  CLICK HERE!

Happy Wrapping!

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2 Comments

1. 

   William Finders

   January 13, 2017 at 8:13 am

   The super glue trick is great!! I am a retired mechanic and used it all the time. One day i had a deep gash on my left hand that would have required stitches and decided to use the supee glue trick that i had heard of, it worked great went right back to work with no worry of dirt,grease,oil,etc getting into the wound. The gel works best becsuse it will stay put and can be worked alot easier to close the cut.
2. 

   Jeanette

   January 13, 2017 at 10:55 am

   Agreed that the superglue is terrific when you get a cut BUT there is a product on the market for the past few years called “Working Hands” that will prevent those splits in finger tips that I used to get EVERY Winter. I am not affiliated with this product, just a delighted customer for a product that actually does what it claims to do. However, if you already have a cut or a split, it wont do anything to heal it but will prevent those cold weather finger tip splits that so many of us get.