Treatment of a venous leg ulcer with a honey alginate dressing

Abstract

The management of chronic wounds such as venous ulcers is a common and long-term issue with the aging population. Non-standard treatment that is both medically and financially effective needs to be identified. Honey has been used for its healing properties for centuries and has been used to successfully heal wounds including pressure-ulcers in our care facility. However, there is not much evidence for its use in treating venous ulcers. To this end, I trialed the use of a honey-impregnated alginate dressing on a man who had a long-standing history of venous ulcers on his leg with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of honey as an alternative treatment to the current wound management therapies. The honey seemed to act as an effective antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and deodorizing dressing, with total healing of the ulcer achieved. This result, together with past successes with the use of honey alginate on ulcerated wounds, has led to this product becoming mainstream in the treatment of chronic wounds within our care facility.