Medical skin glue, also known as tissue adhesive, offers a simple, non-suture method for closing specific types of minor cuts. While convenient, the success of this closure method depends on the time elapsed between the injury and the application of the glue. Proper timing ensures the wound is closed before the risk of complications, such as infection, becomes too high.
The Critical Time Window for Wound Closure
For minor cuts, the window for successful primary closure using skin glue is generally considered to be within six to eight hours of the injury occurring. This timeframe relates to the body’s natural response to a break in the skin barrier. After the initial injury, bacteria that colonize the wound surface begin to multiply.
If a cut is closed after this period, the concentration of bacteria may be high enough that sealing them inside the wound significantly increases the risk of infection. Closing a wound with a high bacterial load can lead to complications, including abscess formation and delayed healing. Therefore, if the cut is older than eight hours, it is considered too risky for simple closure with an adhesive, and professional medical assessment for alternative treatment is required.
Factors Determining Wound Suitability for Skin Glue
Beyond the elapsed time, the physical characteristics of the cut must be assessed before applying tissue adhesive. For a cut to be suitable for gluing, the wound edges must be clean, straight, and easily approximated without tension. The cut should also be superficial, meaning it must not penetrate deep into the dermis or expose underlying fat or muscle tissue.
Skin glue should not be used on certain wounds:
- Wounds that are highly contaminated, such as those from animal bites or punctures, as these carry a high risk of deep bacterial infection.
- Wounds with jagged or irregular edges because the glue cannot effectively pull and hold the tissue together for proper healing.
- Areas of the body that experience high movement or moisture, like joints, the armpit, or the groin.
- Cuts near the eyes or mouth.
Proper Application and Aftercare
Application
If the wound meets all the criteria, preparation is necessary before applying the adhesive. The cut must first be thoroughly cleaned with water or a sterile saline solution to remove any debris, and then completely dried, as moisture can interfere with the glue’s bonding strength. Successful application involves manually holding the two edges of the cut together so they touch evenly, creating a flush seam.
The adhesive is then applied in thin layers directly over the closed seam of the wound, not inside the cut itself, which can impair healing. A minimum of two to three layers should be applied, allowing approximately 30 seconds for each layer to dry before adding the next. Once the final layer has dried, the bond reaches its maximum strength within a few minutes.
Aftercare
Aftercare focuses on protecting the adhesive until the underlying tissue heals. It is important to keep the area dry for the first 24 to 48 hours and avoid soaking the wound in baths or swimming pools for up to seven days. Do not apply any ointments, petroleum jelly, or creams to the glued area, as these products can soften the glue and cause it to peel off prematurely. The adhesive will naturally flake or slough off the skin as the top layer of skin cells sheds, typically occurring within five to ten days.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention
Regardless of the time elapsed, certain cuts mandate immediate professional medical evaluation. Seek care if:
- A wound continues to bleed profusely despite direct pressure.
- The cut is deep enough that the edges cannot be easily brought together.
- Any cut over a joint, especially if movement is restricted or painful, should be assessed professionally.
- Wounds involve the face, hands, feet, or genitals.
- There is embedded foreign material.
- Signs of infection develop, including increasing redness and swelling around the wound, warmth, persistent pain, pus, or foul-smelling drainage.