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The evaluations detailed in this case report series were undertaken by:
Sarah Mancini, clinical director, Clinical UK Ltd (cases 1–2)
Jackie Stephen-Haynes, professor and consultant nurse in tissue viability, Birmingham City University
and Worcestershire Health and Care Trust (cases 3–8)
Rosie Callaghan, tissue viability nurse specialist, Worcestershire Health and Care Trust (cases 3–8)
disrupting established biofilm (Cooper et al, 2014). There is also a suggestion that using honey is less likely to result in
the development of resistant strains of bacteria: a widespread problem that has happened as a result of the over-use of
antibiotics (European Wound Management Association [EWMA], 2014).
Promotes debridement in sloughy and necrotic wounds and creates a moist wound environment
Honey promotes autolytic debridement by providing a moist wound environment and through the possible activation of
proteases (Molan, 2009). The high sugar content and low water levels in honey produce an optimal moist environment
for wound healing by exerting an osmotic effect that can draw excess moisture away from the wound (Molan, 2009).
Reduces or eliminates wound malodour
Wound dressings that contain honey are particularly suited to malodorous wounds that have local infection (White
2005b). Honey stops the production of ammonia and other odorous products of bacterial decomposition in necrotic
wounds (White and Molan, 2005). It also debrides devitalised tissue and reduces bioburden and any accompanying
smell (Bradbury et al, 2014).
Stimulation of healing
Honey promotes the production of cells that promote healing and the growth of new tissue.
CASE REPORTS
Advancis Medical was the first company in the UK to introduce medical grade Manuka honey into wound care dressings
and it has since developed a wealth of expertise and knowledge in producing innovative honey-based products. This
case report series explores the use of Actilite Protect over a predetermined time period in a range of wounds. The
evaluations provide an overview of Actilite Protect’s action on non-healing wounds. Both the outcomes and clinician/
patient feedback show that this dressing is a worthy addition to the healthcare professional’s wound care toolkit, from a
clinical, quality of life and health economic perspective.
REFERENCES
Bainbridge PJ (2013) Wound healing and the role of fibroblasts.Wound Care 22(8): 407–12
Bradbury S, Callaghan R, Ivins N (2014) ManukaDress Made Easy. Wounds UK 10(1): 1–6
Chandan K, Gayle M, Gordillo MD, et al (2009) Human skin wounds: a major and snowballing threat to public health and the economy. Wound Rep Regen
17(6): 763–71
Cooper R, Jenkins L, Hooper S (2014) Inhibition of biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Medihoney in vitro. J Wound Care 23(3): 93–104
Dunford C (2000) Using honey as a dressing for infected skin lesions. Nurs Times 96(14 Suppl): 7–9
Evans J, Mahoney K (2013) Efficacy of medical-grade honey as an autolytic debridement agent.Wounds UK 9(1): 30–36A
EuropeanWound Management Association (2014) EWMA Document: Antimicrobials and Non-healingWounds: Evidence, controversies and suggestions. J
Wound Care 22 (Supp5): S1–S89
Gethin G, Cowman S (2008) Bacteriological changes in sloughy venous leg ulcers treated with manuka honey or hydrogel: an RCT. J Wound Care 17(6): 241–7
Molan PC (2009) Debridement of wounds with honey. J Wound Technol 5:12–17
Wahdan HA (1998) Causes of the antimicrobial activity of honey. Infection 26:26–31.
White R (2005a) Honey in modern wound management. Independent Nurse doi:
White R (2005b) Using honey in clinical practice. Independent Nurse doi:
White R, Molan P (2005) A summary of published clinical research on honey in wound management. In: WhiteR, CooperR, MolanP, Eds.Honey: A modern
wound management product. Wounds UK, Aberdeen: 130–42
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