What Doctors Don't Tell YouMedicine has made many advances over the past few years and there are several alternatives to stitches. A special tape or even glue can be used to close some wounds.
Sometimes, a cut is deep enough to need some help, but not deep enough for stitches. Also, with a cut on the face, it is advisable to avoid using stitches to minimise scarring. In this case, Steri-strips or butterfly strips – very fine, thin, adhesive tapes – are a good option. These usually stay on for a few days and then fall off on their own. The only disadvantage is that they may not stay on long enough to support certain types of cuts.
Another option for wound closing is skin superglue. This method is being used more and more whenever stitches can be avoided and, like Steri-strips, has the advantage of minimising scarring. The glue goes on fast and painlessly, but the downside is that it can’t be used on areas that bend a lot, such as your knees or knuckles.
Daniel Redwood DC
Tom Ferguson MD
