How long do you leave honey on a wound?

Honey has been used for centuries as a natural wound treatment. It has powerful antibacterial and healing properties that can help wounds heal faster. But how long should you leave honey on a wound to get the full benefits? Here is a closer look at using honey for wound care and how long it should be left on.

Table of Contents

Why Use Honey for Wounds?

Honey has a number of properties that make it an effective wound healing agent:

It has antibacterial activity – honey contains hydrogen peroxide and other compounds that inhibit bacterial growth and kill bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
It keeps wounds moist – honey is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture into the wound to promote healing.
It speeds up healing – the antibacterial and moist wound healing environment honey provides can speed up the wound healing process.

It reduces inflammation – honey contains anti-inflammatory compounds that help reduce swelling and irritation.
It debrides wounds – the viscous honey can help lift away dead tissue in wounds.
It reduces odor – the antibacterial properties of honey can help reduce wound odor.

This combination of wound healing benefits makes medical grade honey an effective treatment for burns, ulcers, bed sores, and other chronic or infected wounds.

How Long to Leave Honey on Wounds

When using honey for wound care, it is generally recommended to leave it on the wound for a prolonged period of time to gain the full advantages. Here are some guidelines on how long to leave honey dressings in place:

Burns – For minor burns, honey can be applied for 1-2 hours then washed off. For deeper burns, honey dressings are often left in place for up to 25-30 days with regular dressing changes.

Ulcers and bed sores – Honey dressings are typically changed every 1-3 days for these wounds. The honey provides ongoing antibacterial activity so frequent dressing changes are not needed.
Infected wounds – Honey is replaced every 1-3 days until the infection is under control, then dressing change frequency can be reduced.
Chronic non-healing wounds – Dressings soaked in honey are applied and left in place for 3-7 days at a time until healing occurs.

Closed surgical wounds – Honey is often left on closed surgical incisions for 24-48 hours post-surgery.

So most recommendations are to leave honey dressings in place for at least 24 hours, and up to several days at a time for larger wounds. This allows for sustained contact of honey with the wound bed for optimal antibacterial and healing effects.

How to Apply Honey for Wound Care

To use honey effectively for wounds, follow these steps:

Clean the wound thoroughly with saline or water prior to applying honey.
Apply a layer of medical grade honey to the wound surface and surrounding skin, at least 1/4 inch thick.
Cover the honey with a non-adhesive dressing or gauze pad to hold it in place.

Wrap the area with rolled gauze or bandage to protect the wound site.
Leave the honey dressing on for the recommended duration based on wound type.
To change the dressing, gently wash off the honey with saline and reapply a fresh layer of honey.

Honey dressings should be kept in place for as long as possible for maximum effectiveness. Monitor for any signs of increased redness, swelling, odor or discharge which could indicate infection. Contact a healthcare provider if infection is suspected.

Clinical Evidence on Honey Wound Healing Times

Numerous clinical studies have looked at how long to leave medical grade honey on wounds. Here is some of the evidence on honey dressing change frequencies and healing times:

A study on diabetic foot ulcers found that weekly honey dressing changes healed wounds in an average of 101 days compared to 141 days with conventional dressings changed twice per week.

A clinical trial on venous leg ulcers found similar healing times between honey dressings left in place for 3-7 days compared to daily hydrogel dressing changes.
A study of honey dressings on split-thickness skin graft donor sites left honey in place for an average of 25 days versus 11 days for conventional dressings, with faster healing rates in the honey group.
A review of 19 clinical trials found that honey dressings left in place for an average of approximately 4 days at a time provided significantly better healing outcomes than other dressing types.

Overall, this research supports leaving medical grade honey dressings on wounds for extended periods of 3-7 days at a time in order to provide optimal healing stimulation.

Factors that Influence Honey Wound Healing Time

While general timelines for leaving honey on wounds have been established, healing times can vary based on:

Type of wound – Infected or deeper wounds may require longer honey contact than superficial wounds.

Severity of infection – Honey should be applied until infection is controlled before reducing dressing change frequency.
Stage of healing – Honey is generally changed more frequently in the early inflammatory stages of healing.
Wound location – Areas prone to moisture or friction may need more frequent honey and dressing changes.

Honey type and formulation – Different honeys have varying antibacterial and healing stimulation effects.

Your physician or wound care specialist can help determine the ideal duration for honey applications based on your specific wound and healing progress.

Precautions When Using Honey on Wounds

While honey has many benefits for wound care, there are some important precautions to keep in mind:

Only use medical grade honey that has been specially processed for sterility and consistency.
Do not place honey directly into deep wounds, sinuses or body cavities. Use soaked dressings instead.
Monitor wounds for signs of infection and contact your doctor if honey treatment does not show improvement.

Discuss with your doctor before using honey if you have diabetes or impaired immune function.
Honey can have an osmotic effect drawing fluid from surrounding tissue, so deep wounds should be monitored for fluid buildup.
Honey stains materials, so protect furniture, clothing and bedding from contact.

By following proper procedures, medical grade honey dressings can be used safely and effectively for wound management under medical supervision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it OK to leave honey on a wound overnight?

Yes, honey can be safely left on a wound overnight. In fact, longer honey contact times are recommended for optimal antibacterial and healing effects. Honey typically does not need to be washed off wounds for 24-48 hours.

Can you put too much honey on a wound?

It is difficult to overdose on using honey topically. However, an excessively thick layer can create a localized high osmolarity potentially drawing too much fluid from surrounding tissues. Aim for around 1/4 inch layer of honey over wounds.

When should you not use honey on a wound?

Honey should not be used on people with honey allergy, overly deep sinuses or cavities, infected surgical implants, or in contact with vital structures like eyes, lungs or blood vessels. Certain wounds may also require specialized care where honey is not appropriate.

Can diabetic patients use honey on wounds?

Yes, honey can be used safely by diabetic patients for wound care but blood sugar levels should be monitored closely. Discuss with your doctor regarding honey use with diabetes related wounds.

How often should you change a honey dressing?

Recommendations are to change honey dressings approximately every 3-7 days for chronic wounds. More frequent changes may be needed for highly exudative or infected wounds. The duration honey is left on should provide sustained antimicrobial effects.

Conclusion

Honey is a time-tested, effective remedy for wound healing. While more research is still needed, current evidence and recommendations suggest leaving medical grade honey dressings in place for 1-3 days at a time for most wounds. This provides optimal exposure of wounds to the antibacterial and healing properties of honey. Honey should be reapplied regularly until satisfactory wound closure occurs. With proper precautions, honey can be used to safely accelerate healing of many types of wounds.