Medihoney & Wounds: Everything You Need to Know

MEDIHONEY® is a topical first-aid and wound care product made with medical grade antibacterial Mānuka honey.
The use of honey for wound care has been recorded for over 4,000 years with ancient Egyptian writings detailing wound prescriptions containing honey. Valued for its cleansing and healing properties honey has been effectively used in wounds with bacteria for thousands of years.

Bacteria are as natural as we are and we can’t live without them; however, there are some bacteria that are not so helpful especially when it comes to common childhood wounds. Sometimes, the risk of infection means healing is not so straightforward and bacteria that get into the body through breaks in our skin can grow and cause infection.

MediHoney & the Healing Process

All honey has some basic mechanisms for stopping bacteria in their tracks and encouraging the healing process.

These are:

Lots of sugar and very little water, which deprives bacteria of the water they need for survival. The water in and around the wound is attracted to the sugar in the honey. As water passes through the wound into the honey, it picks up dirt, bacteria and debris, cleaning the wound.

A low pH, which means it is slightly acidic. This makes more oxygen available in the wound, prevents enzymes breaking down wound tissue and means it is not a friendly environment for bacteria to grow.

A moist environment. Honey forms a moist film over the wound, preventing the healing cells from drying out and reducing scarring.

A safe level of the antiseptic hydrogen peroxide is formed naturally when the honey draws out water from the wound.

The Wound Healing Process Explained

Stage 1 – Blood clotting

MEDIHONEY® provides a protective barrier over the open wound to help prevent dirt and bacteria from entering the body.

Stage 2 – Inflammation

MEDIHONEY® diffuses into the wound bed, allowing dirt, bacteria and debris to be lifted away, reducing the risk of infection.

Stage 3 – Growth of new tissue

MEDIHONEY® provides a moist environment to promote wound healing.  This prevents new cells from drying out so that the wound heals faster and with less scarring.

Stage 4 – Scar resolution

After the wound has healed, the scar gradually recedes.  Scar tissue does not produce adequate oils to hydrate the skin.  MEDIHONEY® hydrates the scar to keep it soft and supple and to relieve itching of dry skin.

MEDIHONEY® Wound Gel™ – When to Use

• Ulcers of various aetiology e.g. diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers
• Surgical & recalcitrant wounds
• Superficial & partial thickness burns
• Catheter exit-site care
• Bacterial-resistant wounds
• Stalled or non-healing wounds
• Eczematous wounds and cracked skin
• Skin lesions such as blisters, boils

Medical Grade Manuka Honey

Medical grade honey, such as MEDIHONEY® medical grade Manuka honey, has been sterilised to ensure that no bacteria remain that could give rise to disease. Commercially available sterilised honey dressings and wound gel such as MEDIHONEY® ANTIBACTERIAL WOUND GEL have a long history of safe and effective use for wound care for all age groups. When Should You Not Use Honey on a Wound?

Although allergies to honey are very rare, they do exist and honey dressings should not be used in people with a known allergy. Caution should be used in people with a bee venom allergy. It is recommended that affected individuals check with their allergy specialist or local doctor before using honey for wound care.

MEDIHONEY® Antibacterial WOUND GEL™ is a clinically proven registered medical device and is used in hospitals and wound clinics all around the world 

Available in 25g and 50g https://www.comvita.co.uk/medihoney