Dermabond Questions

shygirl · Sep 24, 2002

Why don't you ask the ER MD?

2ndCareerRN · Sep 24, 2002

Brett,

Yikes, super glue in the hair. If has been 7-10 days the wound should be closed, so there are a few of things you can try.

One is to use acetone to dissolve the glue, but not my first choice. Another is to work at it with a petroleum based ointment, neosporin, bacitracin, or even vaseline. Another is to take a really long shower and allow the water to run over your hair while working at the glue.

You must be sure the wound will not reopen before trying any of this. Afterall, dermabond is nothing more then sterile, purple super glue.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure to take your time. I really don't like dermabond. I have seen a lot of wounds reopen, seen eyes glued shut, and seen glue in the hair. None of those are any fun. If there is a next time, ask them to tie pieces of hair on either side of the wound together to pull the wound shut. Probably won't happen though, to time consuming. The next best bet is staples, quick, they work, but you need a staple remover to get them out. Or go back to a Dr. to have it done. Then of course there is always sutures, which you can remove yourself, or have a friend do it, but should be removed by a trained medical professional.

I hope you can get it out without losing to much more hair.

bob

http://www.dermabond.com/

meandragonbrett · Sep 24, 2002

Bob,

Thanks for your help. I wanted traditional sutures, I didn't care if they were going to cut my hair or not. But the ER physician talked me into dermabond, and what i've seen of it I DON'T LIKE IT!! It's awful. No the laceration is healed, mom's looked at it. Do you think that any of the options you mentioned will interfere with my Highlights?j\w She claimed that she didn't get any in my hair, but I didn't belive her! Thanks for your help!

Brett

kids · Sep 24, 2002

Bob, you have reminded me of why I feel sorry for my kids having a nurse for a Mom...they never got to go to the ER for stitches unless the lac was on their face (I don't mess with their faces-won't even remover their sutures)...I either tied the lac shut with hair...or super glued it shut.

2ndCareerRN · Sep 24, 2002

I know what you mean, if my kids wanted to go to the ER they had to have a pumper, a body part at a very unnatural angle, or have a body part that had become detached. I used a lot of super glue and steri-stips around my house, and no one seems to be any worse for wear. I do agree about the face though.

bob

meandragonbrett · Sep 24, 2002

I didn't want to go, but mom, who's a RN made me. Go figure! The only reason is b\c she couldn't get it to stay together with all the junk she's got here. It's about 7cm long, and 1-1.5cm deep. The ER doc was what I call a Rent-a-doc. You know what I'm talking about? And I can't seem to find her! She didn't offer any advice or anything. Mom was mortified at the way she examined\treated me etc. It wasn't thorough or anything. Basically she walked in and said. I'm going to glue it back together. She wasn't even going to irrigate it w\saline until I said something to her about it!

Brett

sjoe · Sep 24, 2002

Just get a buzz cut. It'll grow back some day, if you want it to. You might realize it is so easy to take care of (no dryng, no combing, etc.) you'll just keep it, as I did mine.

Jenny P · Sep 24, 2002

I just read recently that the best way to treat a head laceration was the hair tieing (or braiding I think they called it) technic! Someone actually did some research on it and they found the wounds healed better that way than any other way they tried. Go Figure!

blackbelt · Sep 24, 2002

The very best way to get out the dermabond is acetone/nail polish remover, it will be tough on your hair because it is so drying but a good conditioner should help.

For you other nurses out there next time the doctor is going to use dermabond if you will rub a little petroleum jelly any where it should not be it can sure save a lot of extra trauma like stuck eye lashes or ear lobes or chins to the neck! A little trick I learned after I had to assist with separating a little girls eye lashes!(we had to cut them off one by one until her eye was opened!)

meandragonbrett · Sep 25, 2002

Thanks everybody for your advice. I tried finger nail polish remover for about 30-45minutes and gave up. I just cut the hair that had dermbond all in it. So It's out!! YAY!!!

Thanks guys,

Brett