8/7/2019 Effectiveness of Honey as Topical Agent in Healing Wounds

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Effectiveness of Honey as Topical Agent in Healing

WoundsReyes Jr., Benedicto B.[1]

College of Nursing, Mendiola,Manila

ABSTRACT

Background:

Honey is a viscous, supersaturated sugar solution derived from nectar gathered andmodified by the honeybee and has been used since ancient times as a remedy in wound care.Evidenced from animal studies and some trials has suggested honey may accelerate woundhealing.

Objective:

Cognizant to this, the researcher deemed it necessary to see the effectiveness of honey

as a topical agent in healing wounds.

Search strategy:

The researcher searched the Cochrane Library, and several other electronic databases,articles. Bibliographies were searched.

Selection criteria:

Randomized and quasi randomized trials was used by the original researchers thatevaluated honey as a treatment for any sort of acute or chronic wound were sought. The

investigator used a retrospective method to conduct the study, the effectiveness of honey as atopical agent in healing wounds. There was no restriction in terms of source, date of publicationor language. Wound healing was the primary endpoint.

Data collection and analysis:

Data from eligible review of related literatures were extracted and summarized using adata extraction sheet by one author and independently verified by a second author.

Main results:

Honey has a healing time of 1-5 days in acute minor wounds such as Lacerations orshallow abrasions. Conventional dressing has a healing time of 5-6 days as compared honeywith healing time of 4-5 days in treating partial thickness burns. The healing time of mixedpartial and full thickness burns is about 13 -14 days. Also, it is more effective to use honey withthe healing time 0f 10-11 days compared to sulfadiazine with 15-16 days of healing time intreating Superficial burns grade I II. And, it is more effective to use honey with the healingtime 0f 10-11 days compared to sulfadiazine with 15-16 days of healing time in treating Legulcers, Pressure ulcers, Diabetic ulcers, Burns grade I III. Honey is more effective with 1-3 dayshealing time compared to saline soaked solution with 2-3 days in treating uninfected grade Iand II pressure ulcer greater than 2cm diameter. Monofloral honey-soaked gauze dressing ismore effective with 6-7 days of healing time compared to EUSOL dressing with 9-10 days of

healing time in treating infection in the scrotum that involves perineum and abdominal wall.

Authors conclusions

Honey may improve healing times in mild to moderate superficial and partial thicknessburns compared with some conventional dressings. Honey dressings as an adjuvant tocompression do not significantly increase leg ulcer healing at 12 weeks, therefore honey is aneffective treatment for wounds. It has a healing time for 4-5 days as compared to sulfadiazinewith 7-15 days and conventional dressing with 10 days of healing time. There is insufficientevidence to guide clinical practice in other areas.

CEUBSN 2011