Medical-Grade Honey Is a Versatile Wound Care Product for the Elderly

Overview

Journal JAR Life

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2024 May 22

PMID 38774269

Authors

D Chrysostomou

A Pokorna

N A J Cremers

L J F Peters

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Ageing of the global population has led to an increase in the demand for the treatment of wounds, especially considering the challenges of managing wounds in the elderly. Therefore, more effective treatment strategies need to be explored. In this article, we aimed to compare medical-grade honey (MGH) products with other wound care products and to provide guidelines on using MGH in wounds commonly found in the elderly.

Methods: Based on literature research and expert opinion, an overview of commonly used wound care products and their wound healing characteristics is provided. In addition, literature-based classification of wounds in the elderly and the recommendations for treatments are provided.

Results: Frequently used wound care products include povidone-iodine, enzymatic products, absorbing dressings, larvae, silver dressings, and MGH dressings. Supported by systematic reviews and meta-analyses, MGH dressings were identified as the most potent and all-round wound care product compared to the others. Next, we provided basic guidelines for managing the most common wounds in the elderly, both acute and chronic, and specified how and which MGH products can be used in these wounds.

Conclusion: MGH is a widely applicable, safe, easy-to-use, and cost-effective product to manage wounds in the elderly. In case of doubt, refer to a trained wound care specialist who can support the treatment of difficult-to-heal wounds.

Citing Articles

Unlocking the Healing Potential: A Comprehensive Review of Ecology and Biology of Medical-Grade Honey in Wound Management and Tissue Regeneration.

Barazesh P, Hajihassani H, Motalebi F, Neiresi S, Hajihassani R, Mehrabian A Health Sci Rep. 2025; 8(1):e70240.

PMID: 39831079 PMC: 11739614. DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.70240.

Treating Infected Non-Healing Venous Leg Ulcers with Medical-Grade Honey: A Prospective Case Series.

Papanikolaou G, Gousios G, Cremers N, Peters L Antibiotics (Basel). 2024; 13(7).

PMID: 39061296 PMC: 11274243. DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13070614.

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