How To Remove Super Glue From Skin

(Photo: Scott Sanker / Unsplash)
A staple in every Do It Yourself-ER's tool box, super glue is also super hard to remove. Here's how to do it.

Super glue is one of the strongest adhesives we use around the home or at the workplace. If you love DIY projects, then you're familiar with its uses. Super glue seals plastic, wood, glass, or rubber to most surfaces with great success. Most of the time, it also gets onto your fingers and binds them together. If you are quick enough, you can pry them apart with no problem. If you're too late, then it gets a little harder. This is no cause for alarm. Read on to find out how to remove super glue from your skin.

A hard, clear film is formed when super glue dries. If you get it on your skin, you might be able to just peel it off. If you've accidentally glued your fingers together, use acetone or paint thinner to dissolve the glue. Add more of either if needed. Don't keep pulling if the glue holds strong to avoid ripping skin.

If you have more delicate skin, soak your fingers in soap water for at least ten minutes. Try to pry your fingers apart and if they separate easily enough, great. You can then try to peel of the glue off your fingers with your fingernail or a pair of tweezers.

If soapy water doesn't do the trick, try these other options instead:

Popular Mechanics suggests mixing equal parts of baking soda and coconut oil. Smear the mixture onto the glued area and wait for 10 to 15 minutes. Wipe the mixture off then try peeling off the glue.

Also read: Amazing Beauty Hack: Use Baking Soda for Flawless Skin and Healthy Hair

You can also mix water with coarse table salt and form a thick paste. Rub the paste continuously onto your skin for a couple of minutes. The abrasive texture of the paste will help scrub off the glue.

If you got glue over a bigger patch of skin, smear petroleum jelly or olive oil over it. Wait for 20 minutes then try scraping off or peeling the glue.

These techniques can also be used to remove super glue from hard and smooth surfaces like wood, metal, stone, tile, and glass. As mentioned, acetone is a quick fix, but it will also dissolve protective layers, including polyurethane off finished wood surfaces such as cabinets, tabletops, and floors. You can substitute acetone with lemon juice if you've managed to get super glue on those types of furniture and on the floor.

Super Glue Can Cause Skin Burns

While super glue is not hot, it can still cause small burns. Cyanoacrylate, the adhesive chemical in super glue, reacts strongly to cotton. If you get super glue on your clothes and it bonds to your skin, it may result in blisters and slight burns. Remove your clothing quickly. To treat it, Healthline advises washing the area immediately with water and applying an antibiotic after. If needed, cover with a sterile dressing. If it's a severe burn, seek a doctor's advice.