Honey Used to Diabetic Foot Wounds in Malaysia

Honey and Diabetic Foot: Malaysian Experience
Dr. Mohd Iskandar Mohd Amin, M. Med Ortho (USM), Department of Orthopedics, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia

[Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series of abstracts from the 1st International Conference on the Medicinal Uses of Honey (From Hive to Therapy) held by Universiti Sains Malaysia in August of 2006. The abstracts have been published by the Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (Vol.14 No.1, January 2007).]

Intrigue with the wonders of the nature’s own resourceful product “Honey” and facing the ever challenging and complex management of “Diabetic Foot”, we in HUSM embark in using honey in treating diabetic foot wound for more than 10 years.

Being in Kelantan where diabetic foot incidence is relatively high, the rate of amputation is increasing, modern medicine effectiveness is questionable and expensive and patient are more inclined towards traditional form of treatment.

We since early 1990’s started using various methods of dressing material including papaya and honey. Honey seems to be more promising and to have scientific evidence of the effectiveness of the usage of honey in diabetic foot wound management. We did a controlled clinical trial comparing two types of dressing materials for diabetic foot ulcers using honey and povidone-iodine…

Even though there is no significant difference in healing rate and achieving sterile wound for patient using honey and povidone as dressing material but there is added advantage of using honey as to reduction in pain during dressing change, faster reduction of oedema, less odor, cheaper and more acceptable to the patient.
Now, honey is part of our regimen in treating Wagner’s II diabetic wound and honey is provided by our hospital pharmacy for inpatient treatment. We are exploring and expanding the usage of honey as dressing material and possibility is infinite.