Emergency Department Discharge Instructions

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Cut with glue or steri strips

Emergency Care Discharge Instructions

Instruction summary

Here are some tips for managing a cut that has been fixed with glue:
  • Do not pick at the glue (this can cause the glue to fall off)
  • Do not apply Polysporin (or any other ointment, such as Vaseline) on the glue
  • Try not to get the glue wet. After 24-48 hours, it is okay if light spray touches the glue when you shower, but do not immerse the area in water.
  • You can put a bandage over the glue. This may be helpful in children, to prevent them from picking at it.

If you have had a cut that has been fixed with Steri-strips, the same rules above apply. However, steri-strips must be kept completely dry. If the strips become wet accidentally, immediately dab them gently with a towel.

For both glue and steri strips, monitor the wound every day for any signs of infection.

Possible signs of infection include:
  1. Spreading redness
  2. A streak of red going up your arm or leg from the wound
  3. Pus coming out of the wound.

To speed up the healing of the cut keep the area elevated as much as possible, so that gravity can drain the swelling away from the cut. For example, if the cut is on your forearm, keep your arm raised as much as you can (like you are the queen and about to wave at your subjects). If the burn is on your leg, prop your leg up on a chair whenever you are sitting down.

Reasons to return to the ER
  1. Fever (≥38.0 °C or 100.4 °F)
  2. Signs of infection: redness around the wound that is spreading or pus. If you can see your family doctor within a few days, you can see them instead of coming to the ER