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How to use Active Manuka Honey for wound treatment
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Below is an excerpt from the web site of the Honey Research Unit
of the University of Waikato in New Zealand. It is reproduced here for interest only and is strictly not intended to constitute medical advice - individuals should consult their doctor.
The way honey is used as a wound dressing (practical information)
Note: The information provided in this web-site does not constitute medical advice.
It is important that wounds that are not healing are seen by a registered medical
practitioner - failure to heal may be the result of malignancy (cancer) or defective
blood circulation. Varicose leg ulcers usually require professionally applied pressure
bandaging over the dressing to heal successfully.
The following points have come from clinical experience of many people using honey
as a wound dressing:
- The amount of honey required on the wound depends on the amount of fluid exuding
from the wound. The various beneficial effects of honey on wound tissues will be
reduced or lost if small amounts of honey become diluted by large amounts of fluid.
Likewise the frequency of dressing changes required will depend on how rapidly the
honey is being diluted by fluid.
- Daily dressing changes are usual, but up to three times daily may be needed.
- If the dressing sticks to the wound this indicates that more frequent changes
of dressing are needed.
- Exudation of fluid should be reduced by the anti-inflammatory action of honey,
so less frequent dressing changes may be needed later - a few days between changes.
- More honey is required on deeper infections, to obtain an effective level of
antibacterial activity diffusing deep into the wound tissues.
- Typically, 20 ml of honey (25 - 30 g, 1 ounce) is used on a 10 cm X 10 cm (4
inch X 4 inch) dressing.
- Occlusive (waterproof) or absorbent secondary dressings are needed to prevent
honey oozing out from the wound dressing. (Occlusive dressings are better as they
keep more of the honey in contact with the wound - absorbent dressings soak the
honey away from the wound.) Adhesive tape or bandages can be used to hold the
dressings in place if an adhesive occlusive dressing is not used.
- Pressure bandaging is used over the honey dressing for varicose ulcers.
- Dressing pads pre-impregnated with honey are the most convenient way of applying
honey to surface wounds. (Dressing pads pre-impregnated with active manuka honey
are available commercially.)
- If pre-impregnated dressings are not available, it is best to spread the honey
on the dressing rather than on the wound.
- Abscesses, cavities and depressions in the wound bed are filled with honey before
applying the honey dressing pad, so that there is honey in contact with the wound
bed. The honey dressings are cut to a size that extends beyond the edges of the wound
and any surrounding inflamed area.
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