Can Medihoney (honey) be used for burn treatment?

From the Guidelines

You should not use Medihoney for burns as a first-line treatment, but it may be considered in remote or wilderness settings where commercially made topical antibiotics are not available. When considering the use of Medihoney for burns, it's essential to prioritize the most recent and highest quality evidence. According to the 2015 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines update for first aid 1, it is recommended to avoid natural remedies, such as honey or potato peel dressings, for burn treatment. However, in remote or wilderness settings, it may be reasonable to consider applying honey topically as an antimicrobial agent.

Burn Treatment Recommendations

• Cool thermal burns with cool or cold potable water as soon as possible and for at least 10 minutes 1
• If cool or cold water is not available, a clean cool or cold, but not freezing, compress can be useful as a substitute for cooling thermal burns 1
• After cooling of a burn, it may be reasonable to loosely cover the burn with a sterile, dry dressing 1
• Burns associated with or involving blistering or broken skin, difficulty breathing, the face, neck, hands, or genitals, or a larger surface area should be evaluated by a healthcare provider 1

Medihoney Considerations

• Medihoney may be considered in remote or wilderness settings where commercially made topical antibiotics are not available 1
• However, the 2020 study on the management of severe thermal burns in the acute phase in adults and children does not mention Medihoney as a recommended treatment option 1
• The study suggests that burn wound care should be performed in a clean environment and will mostly require deep analgesia or general anesthesia, and that the type of dressing depends on the total body surface area (TBSA) affected, the local appearance of the wound, and the patient's general condition 1

In summary, while Medihoney may have some benefits in certain situations, it is not recommended as a first-line treatment for burns, and other evidence-based treatments should be prioritized. If Medihoney is considered, it's crucial to follow proper wound care and dressing techniques to promote healing and prevent infection.

From the Research

Burn Wound Treatment

• Medihoney, a type of honey, has been studied as a topical treatment for wounds, including burns 2.
• The use of honey in burn wound care has been explored in several studies, with some suggesting that it may accelerate wound healing 2.
• In acute wounds, honey may reduce time to healing compared to some conventional dressings in partial thickness burns 2.
• However, the quality of most trial reports is poor, and the results should be interpreted with caution, except in venous leg ulcers 2.

Topical Antimicrobial Agents

• Topical antimicrobial agents, including creams and ointments, are commonly used in burn care to prevent and treat wound infections 3.
• The choice of topical therapy may depend on the severity of the burn and the presence of infection 3.
• Antimicrobial dressings are also used in burn care, and their use is evolving with advances in technology 3.

Burn Wound Healing

• Burn wound healing is a complex process that requires multidirectional management, including surgical activities and pharmacological approaches 4.
• The classification of burns, complications, medical care, and pharmacological treatment are all important aspects of burn wound care 4.
• Dressings, including newer innovations, play a crucial role in healing wounds, and their use should be tailored to the individual patient's needs 4.

Debridement Techniques

• Debridement techniques, including enzymatic debridement and hydrosurgery, are used to remove eschar and promote wound healing 5.
• Early wound excision has been shown to reduce hospital stay, wound infection rate, and postburn metabolic changes 5.
• Enzymatic debridement has been shown to be an effective tool for early eschar removal and reduces the need for autografting 5.