The Way Honey Can be Used as a Wound Dressing

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.