The Use of Honey as an Alternative Topical Antibacterial Wound Treatment in Injured Wild Mammals
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53607/wrb.v25.160Keywords:
Antibacterial, wound management, honey, alternative topical treatmentAbstract
The utilization of honey to treat wounds in humans has been practiced for hundreds of years. This treatment alternative has recently gained more attention in the veterinary field due to continued effectiveness. The antibacterial properties of honey have proven to exhibit great success in safe and rapid healing of soft tissue wounds in mammals by providing adequate protection from bacterial invasion and infection. Honey also assists in managing inflammation, relieving swelling and pain, and enhancing and expediting the natural healing process. Unlike other commonly used topical antiseptics, honey does not produce any local tissue damage to the application area and is less expensive and easier for many rehabilitators and veterinarians to acquire. This paper will discuss the many benefits for the use of honey as an alternative antibacterial topical wound treatment in injured wild mammals and the specific properties that make honey a successful treatment alternative. A brief case study of a California sea lion that was successfully treated with honey for severe shark bite wounds as part of a treatment regimen at the Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur, San Pedro, CA will also be discussed.
Downloads
References
Asadi–Pooya, A. A., M. R. Pnjehshahin, and S. Beheshti. 2003. The antimycobacterial effect of honey: an in vitro study. Rivista de Biologia/Biology Forum. 96:491–496.
Amjadi, M., J. Manzoori, and M. Orooji. 2006. Application of crude extract of kohlrabi as a rich source of peroxidase in the spectrofluorometric determination of hydrogen peroxide in honey samples. Analytical Sciences. 22:1201–1206.
Bang, L. M., C. Buntting, and P. Molan. 2003. The effect of dilution on the rate of hydrogen peroxide production in honey and its implications for would healing. Journal of Alternative Complement Medicine. 9(2):267–273.
Blaser, G., U. Bode, G. Fleischhack, A. Simon, K. Sofka, and G. Wiszniewsky. 2005. Wound care with antibacterial honey (Medihoney) in pediatric hematology–oncology. Support Care Cancer. 14:91–97.
Bulman, M. W. 1955. Honey as a surgical dressing. Middlesex Hospital Journal. 55:188–9.
Farouk, A., T. Hassan, H. Kashif, S. A. Khalid, I. Mutawali, and M. Wadi. 1988. Studies on Sudanese bee honey: laboratory and clinical evaluation. International Journal of Crude Drug Resources. 26(3):161–168.
Molan, P. C. 1998. A Brief Review of the Use of Honey as a Clinical Dressing—The Evidence for Honey Promoting Wound Healing. Primary Intention the Australian Journal of Wound Management. 6(4):148–158.
Molan, P. C. 2006. The evidence supporting the use of honey as a wound dressing. Lower Extremity Wounds. 5(1):40–54.
Ndayisaba, G., L. Bazira, E. Habonimana, and D. Muteganya. 1993. Clinical and bacteriological results in wounds treated with honey. Journal of Orthopedic Surgery. 7(2):202–204.
Phuapradit, W., and N. Saropala. 1992. Topical application of honey in treatment of abdominal wound disruption. Australia and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 32(4):381–384.
Singleton, C., J. Ramer, and J. Proudfoot. 2004. Use of unpasteurized honey for treatment of a deeply infected wound in an African elephant. Proceedings AAZV, AAWV, WDA joint conference. 626–628.
Subrahmanyam , M. 1993. Honey impregnated gauze versus polyurethane film (OpSite®) in the treatment of burns–a prospective randomised study. Britian Journal of Plastic Surgery. 46(4):322–323.
Tonks, A. J., R. A. Cooper, K. P. Jones, S. Blair, and J. Parton. 2003. Honey stimulates inflammatory cytokine production from monocytes. Cytokine. 21(5):242–247.
White, J. W., and M. H. Subers. 1964. Studies on Honey Inhibine. 3. Effect of heat. Journal of Apical Resources. 3(1):45–50.
Yang, K. L. 1944. The use of honey in the treatment of chilblains, non–specific ulcers, and small wounds. Chinese Medical Journal. 62:55–60.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2007 Leslie Reed
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
The copyright for articles in this journal is retained by the author(s), with first publication rights granted to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Bulletin and NWRA. Articles published as open-access in this journal are free to use and share with proper attribution in educational and other non-commercial purposes. To obtain reprint permission for articles that are not open access, please contact the journal editor.
