Although honey has been used as a wound dressing for hundreds of years, only recently has it attracted scientific interest because of its relevant antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and nutritional content.

This case report by Teobaldi et al. is the first to highlight the use of honey dressings (glucose oxidase-positive with peroxide activity) in treatment of an ulcer with tendon exposure in a patient with type 2 diabetes. The use of the honey dressing, in addition to systemic antibiotic therapy, surgical toilette and skin graft, facilitated timely wound healing.

Further studies are required to validate this result. However, such treatment may constitute part of the comprehensive management of diabetic wounds, including those with tendon exposure, and should be considered in clinical practice. Honey dressings could be a low cost alternative to currently available, often expensive, dressings.

Read the full article in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Case Reports EDM 180117