Thread: When styptic won't cut it.

Excuse the play on words but I wanted to give some wound care tips. I had a bad slice the other night due to being startled and nearly took off a chunk of my cheek. Luckily the piece was a perfect flap, still attached, to easily be put back with a little super glue. That's right you can put the skin back and glue over it for some DIY stitches, but I was all out of super glue!?!? I used the next best thing; clear nail polish. It is basically the same thing as liquid bandage and works just as well. The wound is healing well and now appears as just a small cut. A little FYI for everyone and the reason I always take super glue in camping first aid kits.

The question is,,,,, why did you have nail polish on your camping trip,,,,

Oh I wasn't camping at the time. I never shave on a camping trip or turn on my cellphone unless utterly necessary. I actually have my own clear nail polish these days for label protection and my J-nat vs. stealing from swmbo. I do always carry the super glue since there are a million uses for it while out camping. I was searching my shop and remembered I had finished the last of the super glue a few days back and in poetic justice declined to pick some up earlier at Wally world while checking out. I was in line to check out and they had some super glue in the impulse buy area at checkout and I thought 'Nah I won't need any more super glue soon' a few hours before cutting my face. The eclectic checkouts I have had since starting this habit have been many and strange; ranging from bottles of nail polish to cushion padding for a hone case.

Originally Posted by aa1192

Oh I wasn't camping at the time. I never shave on a camping trip or turn on my cellphone unless utterly necessary.

I'm with you 100% on the cellphone front, but you are seriously missing out on one of the great pleasures in life: shaving with a straight in the great outdoors! If I'm backpacking or otherwise going light weight, then it's full-on dirtbag enjoyment for me. But if I'm car camping and weight isn't an issue, some shaving gear now makes the trip with me. The most enjoyable shave I have ever had was probably in Quechee Gorge park down in Vermont last year. It was early in the morning, sun coming through the mist in the trees, a bit of wood smoke from the fire, absolute peace and quiet, a slightly confused deer for company... it was brilliant. Best enjoyed in off-peak seasons when peace and quiet rules the morning.

Yes,,, I'm just kidding with you aa1192,,,,,


I have used super glue numerous times to close small cuts & nail polish put on a mosquito bite can take the itch away,,,,

Super glue was actually first invented for just this purpose, to glue cuts back together in the field

Huh very cool! It does an excellent job and I have been lucky to never need it for major gash.

And the super glue for flesh is blue so you know where it is, then dries clear

Have sealed all manner of cuts with super glue for years, including my dreaded winter-time split fingertips. Depending on where you're using it, try using an emery board or a little piece of sandpaper to smooth out your personal repairs.

Man up. Duct-Tape it.