Honey to heal diabetic wounds

NST: KOTA BARU: Diabetics and honey may seem an unlikely combination.
But the sweet liquid from bees is working wonders for those being treated at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital, Kubang Kerian, for wounds caused by the disease.
The best results have been seen on those suffering from ulcers of the foot.
USM orthopaedic department head, Dr Mohd Iskandar Mohd Amin, said the antiseptic properties of honey made it a potent salve.
"We found honey to be just as effective as modern antiseptics. It was less painful for patients and wounds appeared to heal faster."
A clinical trial in 2002 showed that honey worked as well as modern dressings, was cheaper and caused less pain when dressings were changed. "There was also less smell from the wound and no allergic reaction. Honey is now a necessary part of our regimen in treating diabetic wounds," he said.
HUSM treats an average of three patients per week with honey, and it has treated more than 1,000 diabetics this way since 1996.
Diabetic wounds are washed with saline, smeared with a thick coat of honey and wrapped with gauze. The dressing is changed every three days.
"We used to apply local honey but patients complained of discomfort, probably because local honey was impure. This was solved by using imported honey from supermarkets."
Dr Iskandar is now making arrangements to obtain pure local honey.
Patient Fatimah Che Mat Ali, of Setiu, Terengganu, said she would probably have lost her right foot if not for honey.
The 54-year-old cut a foot in August, leading to swelling and gangrene. Doctors amputated a toe but the problem was not resolved.
They then used honey to treat her wound. "It worked wonders on me," she said.