Topical application of honey in treatment of burns

Abstract

A total of 104 cases of superficial burn injury were studied to assess the efficiency of honey as a dressing in comparison with silver sulfadiazine gauze dressing. In the 52 patients treated with honey, 91 per cent of wounds were rendered sterile within 7 days. In the 52 patients treated with silver sulfadiazine, 7 per cent showed control of infection within 7 days. Healthy granulation tissue was observed earlier in patients treated with honey (mean 7.4 versus 13.4 days). Of the wounds treated with honey 87 per cent healed within 15 days as against 10 per cent in the control group. Relief of pain, a lower incidence of hypertrophic scar and postburn contracture, low cost and easy availability make honey an ideal dressing in the treatment of burns.

A Prospective Randomized Study to Compare the Effectiveness of Honey Dressing vs. Povidone Iodine Dressing in Chronic Wound Healing

“…Hamdy et al reported that the number of microorganisms and bacterial species decreased by 50-100 % by application of honey on chronic infected wounds [17]. Various authors reported mild or no pain at all during dressing change with honey as compared to other treatments [12,18,19].…”

Commercial dressings for burns versus sweet ancient remedy

“…Mean time to healing was 32 days in the honey-treated group and 18.4 days in the comparison group (WMD 13.6 days, 95% CI 10.02-17.18 days), significantly favouring early excision and skin grafting [7]. Honey compared with silver sulfadiazine did not reveal significant difference between these two interventions (WMD -4.37 days, 95% CI -8.94 to 0.19 days) [8].…”

Honey, Food and Medicine: Scientific Rationale and Practical Efficiency in External Administration of Medicinal Honey for Wound Healing

“…On the other hand, clinical trials established that floral origin and antibacterial potency of honey do not seem to correlate with any difference in effectiveness in the therapy of burns [41]. It was noted that applying honey determines a reduction in inflammation and scar contractures.…”

“…It was noted that applying honey determines a reduction in inflammation and scar contractures. Antioxidant effect of honey in neutralizing free radicals, together with antibacterial action, low pH, high viscosity, hygroscopic effect and moist environment, all contribute to the efficiency of honey in burns treatment [41,42].…”