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Cyanoacrylate is a sticky substance found in many glues. Cyanoacrylate poisoning occurs when someone swallows this substance or gets it on the skin.


Alternative Names

Glue; Super glue; Crazy glue

Poisonous Ingredient


Where Found


  • Skin tissue sticks together 

Home Treatment

Wash exposed areas with warm water immediately. If the glue gets on the eyelids, try to keep the eyelids separated. If the eye becomes glued shut, seek emergency medical care immediately. If the eye is partially open, flush with cool water for 15 minutes.

Do not try to peel off the glue -- sweat will build up under it and lift it off. If fingers or other skin surfaces are stuck together, use a gentle rolling motion to try to separate them.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

  • Patient's age, weight, and condition
  • Time it was swallowed or touched the skin
  • Part of the body affected

Poison Control, or a local emergency number



See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room


Expectations (prognosis)


It should be possible to separate the skin that is stuck together, as long as the material was not swallowed. Most eyelids separate on their own in 1 - 4 days.

If this substance is stuck to the eyeball itself (not the eyelids), you can damage the surface of the eye if it is not removed by an experienced eye doctor. Corneal ulcers and permanent vision problems have been reported.



Version Info

  • Last reviewed on 2/28/2012



This page was last updated: April 14, 2014

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