Two weeks ago, I watched my two year old son play in a mound of worms and rolly pollies located in our back yard dirt pile. Had I known that within his blue sandal a small cut on his fourth toe was beginning to fester, I would have washed more than his hands upon entering the house for a snack--on this occasion yogurt with honey.
Staphylococcus aureus, named for the golden color of its colonies (aereus was an ancient Roman gold coin), is a spherical bacteria that forms clusters. Found on skin, in noses, and in dirt piles, it's unavoidable. The intensity of the yellow pigment is proportional to the severity of infection. While the pigment doesn't cause drug resistance, there is an association with virulence and infection intensity. MRSA is scary not just because it is resistant to treatment with antibiotics, but also because it is extremely aggressive.
When our pediatrician saw the toe four hours after prescribing an oral antibiotic, she took a step back. The speed at which the infection was progressing made her suspect that his growing purple blister was concealing a MRSA bug. He was hospitalized immediately and placed on intravenous antibiotics.For me the idea of squirting honey on an open wound is akin to bandaging a chocolate bar to it. But well before the advent of antibiotics ancient peoples used it regularly. It is also currently utilized for similar treatments in parts of the world outside of the US. When I first heard this, I imagined places ill equipped with medical supplies--places where drinking water, let alone intravenous antibiotics, is scant. This is not the case. Experts in New Zealand, Germany, Ireland and other places are dipping gauze in the amber gooiness and pushing it against the nastiest injuries.
The scientific reports are astonishing. Researchers growing bacteria on petri dishes watch colonies disappear with honey application. Doctors have seen children once needing anesthesia for a dressing change, hardly wince with application. In addition to anecdotal data, one randomized control trial concluded “There was no evidence of a real difference between honey and IntraSite Gel as healing agents. Honey is a safe, satisfying and effective healing agent.” Studies comparing other agents with honey on the treatment of ulcers report greater healing power of honey dressings.
Historical studies determined the effectiveness results from honey's osmotic properties. The bacteria, having more water in them than the honey, literally shrivel and die. This attribute, however, is contradicted by the diluting effect of a weeping wound. Never-the-less, experiments repeatedly show the therapeutic effectiveness in the treatment of Staphylococcus infected wounds. Honey also has enzymes with antiseptic bi-products (namely, hydrogen peroxide). While scientists continue to unravel the reasons for its potency, data is showing that it works even for bacteria harboring antibiotic resistant genes, MRSA!
Despite antibiotics, the blister was growing fast and had an ominous appearance. With a team of six clinicians (including two pediatric surgeons), blue gloves gripped scalpel and forceps, hovering bright lights were centered, nurse readied with gauze dripping brown liquid, and doctor pushed anesthesia through an intravenous tube. As the scalpel poked through the skin, cloudy fluid spurted past the table and onto the floor. Swabs, rubbed on the inner surface of the skin, were placed in test tubes and sent to the laboratory. Freed from the infected skin, the remaining wound was wiped, coated with a white creamy topical antibiotic and wrapped with gauze. We were treated similarly and transferred to an isolation room. Entering staff had to suit up in blue plastic aprons and gloves, meal trays were left outside the room and visitation was discouraged. It seemed that the only thing entering the room were clear bags of antibiotics.
While there are claims that honey from particular locations carry more antiseptic properties than others (including anti-fungal and anti-viral properties), with some even marketed as medical grade honey, the fact that all varieties tested demonstrate antibacterial properties should be enough to transfer the kitchen product into our first aid kits. So why is it that today after meeting with our pediatrician, I filled the prescription for a topical antibiotic and dutifully dressed the still healing wound?
Honey is healing and cost-effective but until clinicians embrace it, it's useless. Our culture confides in the advice of white coats handing out prescriptions. In order for the golden liquid to effectively combat the golden colonies, we need to embrace ancient wisdom and current research at the level of the doctor's office.
Incidentally, the bacterial culture results revealed the toe culprit to be a simple everyday Staphylococcus aureus, not the dreaded MRSA.
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Also see Professor Moore's comments regarding this post and medical grade honey.
Some of many relevant references:
Yapucu Güneş U, Eşer I. Effectiveness of a honey dressing for healing pressure ulcers.
J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2007 Mar-Apr;34(2):184-90
Ingle R, Levin J, Polinder K. Wound healing with honey--a randomised controlled trial. S Afr Med J. 2006 Sep;96(9):831-5.
Boukraâ L, Niar A, Benbarek H, Benhanifia M. Additive Action of Royal Jelly and Honey Against Staphylococcus aureus. J Med Food. 2008 Mar;11(1):190-2.
Maeda Y, Loughrey A, Earle JA, Millar BC, Rao JR, Kearns A, McConville O, Goldsmith CE, Rooney PJ, Dooley JS, Lowery CJ, Snelling WJ, McMahon A, McDowell D, Moore JE. Antibacterial activity of honey against community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2008 May;14(2):77-82.
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