Has anyone used manuka honey with any level of success with a chronic diabetic foot ulcer?  I have used it in pressure ulcers but have not yet convinced the podiatrists to try it.  Please share your cases here!

I often get approached by various people (patients, nurses, reps) to try honey for wounds, but I don't believe in its mechanism of action.  There is not any firm data to drive therapy with honey - the same goes for many other available wound treatments.  I believe it is important to use products based in evidence.  And if evidence is lacking, then choose something based on clinical experience.  

Interesting to find this question today.

Just yesterday I read about a product, MediHoney. I think it's the same.  No I haven't used it, but I too wondered if anyone has. And if so, what is your experience.

Thanks

EnJOY!
Joy

 

Hi Joy,

It is the same thing as the Manuka Honey.  I have used it, I find that it works well in wounds with chronicity. The older the wound, the better it works!  I cannot explain why but it just does.  I had a patient with a stage IV pressure ulcer to the foot and to the sacral area.  We had tried every modality known to man and nothing worked for this gentleman. His son was a physician and asked if I thought it was worth trying, at that point I was willing to try anything.  We started to apply it and within a week I noticed a change for the better. The wounds went on to heal completely.  I have tried it on other patients with no result at all, so I can't say why it works or doesn't work but I have seen it work quite well!

What a fabulous piece of information.  The bees seem to have fascinating abilities. The hila monster just had saliva that was useful...the bees make this wonderful product. I am so glad that there are people who are dedicated to taking care of bees. I am certain we have much to learn from the bees that is not known at the present time. 
Let's hear it for the bees!!!

Sounds like it has possibilities.  I know homeopathic physicians use it and I believe it has been used in the Tucson wound centers with good results.  I personally have no experience. A clinical trial would be beneficial.
Thanks,
Judith Vance, FNP-C, CDE 

There have actually been several clinical trials performed with Manuka Honey to show its efficacy.  Here is one that was trialed against hydrogel in the care of the venous ulcer with slough.  It's interesting.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18752540