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Super glue can fix almost anything — but it’s not so useful when you glue your fingers together. Polyurethane Foam
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The powerful adhesive cyanoacrylate, found in super glue and similar products, doesn’t let go easily. But dermatologist John Anthony, MD, explains how to get super glue off your skin safely.
If your fingers are glued together, or your skin is glued to something else, don’t panic. You can usually get the glue off with one of these steps.
When it comes to removing super glue from your skin, patience is key. “Don’t try to pull the skin off forcefully or pick at it,” Dr. Anthony says. “You could injure the skin and end up with a painful blister. And don’t use sharp objects like razors, nails or knives.”
If you do break the skin when trying to remove super glue:
And finally, don’t use scrubs, pumice stones or other harsh abrasives to remove super glue. “These items can irritate and damage the skin, and the other methods work better,” Dr. Anthony says.
“Getting a small amount of super glue on the skin isn’t harmful to most people,” says Dr. Anthony. “But a few people are allergic to it. It can cause a skin reaction called contact dermatitis. The reaction shows up a few days after the exposure and looks like a poison ivy rash.”
And if you swallow super glue or get it on your face, don’t take any chances. “Super glue in or near your eyes, nose or mouth is a medical emergency,” Dr. Anthony says. “Contact a poison control center or go to the emergency room.”
If super glue doesn’t come off with soap, oils or acetone, and it’s not bothering you, wait a few days. As the skin sloughs off naturally, the glue will come off, too.
Super glue is powerful, so use it with care. Treat it like any household chemical and keep it out of reach of children.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Construction Sealant Need to know how to get super glue off your skin? You can usually remove it with a few simple steps at home. Here’s how to get unstuck safely.