The role of honey in healing of bedsores in cancer patients

Abstract

Background:Honey was used to treat infected wounds as long as 2000 years before bacteria were discovered. It has been reported to have inhibitory action to around 50 species of bacteria and fungi (aspergillus, penicillium). Usually, Metronidazole powder is used in our palliative clinic for wound healing due to low cost & effectivity. Honey is cheap, easily available ingredient with high astringent activity.Objective:Objectives of the study were to find out the effectiveness of Honey in terms of rate of wound healing & pain control in bedsores of cancer patients.Materials and Methods:40 cancer patients with bedsore wounds were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio i.e. 20 in each arm) for Study Arm (Honey plus Metronidazole powder) and Control Arm (only Metronidazole powder), attending Palliative clinic of our department in between July 2010 to September 2011.Washing of the wound with normal saline done daily before application of above medicaments. Change of posture & soft bed were encouraged in both groups. A pre designed interview proforma, standardised Bates Jensen Wound Assessment Tool and Visual Analogue Pain assessment scale were used to collect and assess data.Results:There was significant difference in wound healing status (F value = 6.523; Critical Difference =14.03, P>0.05) from day 10 and pain reduction also (F value = 6.638 and Critical Difference = 1.667, P>0.05) from day 7 in study arm.Conclusion:Application of honey dressing provides a better wound healing, rapid pain relief in cancer patients with bedsores in palliative settings.

Phenolic Compounds in Honey and Their Associated Health Benefits: A Review

“…An activity closely linked to antibacterial capacity is wound healing. The ability of honey to sterilize the wounds, stimulate tissue re-growth, and to reduce edema and scar formation, affects simple wounds, burns, diabetic foot ulcers, and pressure ulcers [ 6 , 58 , 59 ].…”

Modern Methods for Assessing the Quality of Bee Honey and Botanical Origin Identification

“…Bee honey has been used for centuries as a nutritional, preventive, and medicinal product. Over the past 10 year, its use has been studied in the following diseases: arthritis [ 3 ], breast cancer (cell line) [ 4 ], cervical cancer (cell line) [ 4 ], colon cancer (cell line) [ 5 ], cough [ 6 ], type 2 diabetes [ 7 ], hepatic steatosis [ 8 ], influenza [ 9 ], glioblastoma multiforme (cell line) [ 10 ], Helicobacter pylori [ 11 ], mucositis [ 12 ], osteoporosis [ 13 ], pressure ulcers [ 14 ], Pseudomonas [ 15 ], renal cancer cell line [ 16 ], and rosacea [ 17 ]. Due to such diverse activity, honey must be of the highest quality [ 1 , 2 , 18 , 19 ].…”

Comparing the effects of yarrow, honey, and breast milk for healing nipple fissure

“…[ 15 ] Also, a study by Soha showed that honey could be used as an effective and safe material for covering the bedsores of patients. [ 16 ] Dorjsembe found that, Achillea asiatica extract significantly increased epithelialization and accelerated skin wound healing in rats. [ 17 ]…”