Several of my fingers are chapped/cracking around the finger nails due to the cold, dry weather. I tried putting plastic bandages around them, but they interfere with flute practice, because I can’t seal the tone holes properly.
Today, I purchased a tiny tube of NexCare liquid bandage. After applying a dab to each crack on the skin, the cracks were sealed and no more pain. And, best of all, I can finger the flute again!!
The NexCare liquid is very expensive - I purchased it on sale and with a coupon. The main ingredient is cyano-acrylic - the same ingredient of Krazy Glue. I did some research online and found out that some people have used Krazy Glue as a bandage to seal small cuts. Although common Krazy Glue is not medical grade, doctors say it’s safe, so long as only a small amount is used and it is allowed to dry thoroughly before touching anything. Here’s a link to one article about using KG as a bandage:
Have you tried the superglue yet, Head? It works quite well. Just be sure to get a thin, liquidy glue and not a gel one. The gel won’t flow into the crack nicely and remains stiff.
The biggest thing I’ve used it on was a 1-cm hole on one shin that I got from a ski boot. It solved the problem and I never knew it was there. Skied for a week on it. However, I’ve used other types of superglue on small, unbroken combat boot blisters and have been very sorry that I did–it was too stiff.
I use something called New Skin. First aid antiseptic liquid bandage. Its
not expensive like the J&J brand, and there’s a lot more in the bottle. You
brush it on like it was clear nail polish. It stings a bit before it dries. But it
is really good for like when I sliced some radishes and missed the radish.
Peggy, I have not tried Krazy Glue yet. I bought Nexcare only a day ago and still have plenty left. When I run out, I will try KG - at least once to see if it works for me. At Walgreens, Nexcare (the formulation for small cuts) retails for $10 for about 0.03 fl. oz.
lesl, is it ok to use the New Skin on your lips? Nexcare advises against using its product on the face - probably for fear that one could glue shut one’s mouth or eyes.
Our local docs use the generic brand (Krazy Glue) and advocate it. But not on the lips! It’s great for cuts in places that you can’t easily cover with a bandage (palms, soles of feet) or for when you’re constantly in contact with water.
Rock climbers use crazy glue all the time when they leave a chunk of skin on a rock but don’t want to quit climbing because of a sore spot. Great stuff! It really does have 1001 uses…