The use of honey in the treatment of infected wounds: case studies.

Honey is gaining popularity as a dressing for chronic wounds. Existing literature attributes honey with a number of useful properties, such as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, deodorization, debriding and anti-inflammatory actions and stimulation of new tissue growth. Case studies are being published increasingly which record positive outcomes with its use. Recent national media attention has featured the beneficial effects of honey in wound care and patients are beginning to request treatment. While honey may become a useful and widely accepted product for wound management in the future, the following case studies demonstrate that not all the expected beneficial effects are always realized in practice.