MediHoney Wound and Burn Care

Global leading line of medical-grade honey products for the management of acute and chronic wounds and burns.¹¯³

Features & Benefits

• Derived from the nectar of the Leptospermum species

• Selected, authenticated and processed using leading scientific technology to validate its purity and consistency

• Unique among honeys – maintains its effectiveness even in the presence of wound fluid¹

• The only type of honey shown in randomized controlled studies to help wounds that have stalled under first-line treatment to progress towards healing²

Product Solutions

• Designed to support clinical need, MediHoney Gel combines 100% Active Leptospermum Honey with natural gelling agents

• Offers a more viscous formulation with increased stability

• Designed for superficial to full thickness wounds and burns

• For lightly to moderately exuding wounds

• 100% Active Leptospermum Honey

• Designed for deep tunneled or undermined wounds and burns

• For lightly to moderately exuding wounds

MediHoney® Hydrogel Sheet

(ALH content – 45%)

• Combines the benefits of ALH with the handling capability of Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) technology

• Absorbs 2.5x the amount of fluid of leading hydrocolloids³

• Is cooling and soothing upon application

• Two versions: Adhesive and Non-adhesive

USAGE SUGGESTIONS:

• For non-draining to lightly exuding wounds

MediHoney® HCS

(ALH content – 63%)

• Combines the benefits of ALH with the handling capability of Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) technology

• Absorbs 2.5x the amount of fluid of leading hydrocolloids³

• Is cooling and soothing upon application

• Four versions: Adhesive, Non-adhesive, Fenestrated, and Surgical

USAGE SUGGESTIONS:

• For non-draining to lightly exuding wounds

MediHoney® Calcium Alginate

(ALH content – 95%)

• Honey impregnated into a calcium alginate dressing

• As wound fluid enters the dressing, the honey is released while the dressing absorbs and forms a gel

• Two versions: Sheet and Rope

USAGE SUGGESTIONS:

• May be used to pack wounds in the same fashion as a typical calcium alginate or other gelling fiber dressing

• For moderately to heavily exuding wounds

Changing expectations and clinical outcomes in wound care

Dramatic changes have been seen in the field of advanced wound care within the last two decades. The practice of moist wound healing has significantly improved outcomes and has helped clinicians make knowledge-based decisions affecting the healing process. MediHoney® dressings, containing Active Leptospermum (Manuka) Honey (ALH), address many factors that delay healing, helps to promote a moist wound environment that aids and supports autolytic debridement.

Aids and supports autolytic debridement and a moist wound healing environment in acute and chronic wounds and burns. ⁵⁻⁸

Technology

Medical Grade Manuka Honey

• First cleared by the FDA in 2007 for use on acute and chronic wounds and burns

• High Osmolarity

• Low pH

• Authenticated and certified using a stringent set of systems and controls

• Standardized level of activity

• Produced under strict standards

• Ultra filtrated and sterilized by gamma irradiation, removing any bacterial spores without loss of product effectiveness³

Clinical Data

There are over 200 of pieces of evidence demonstrating MEDIHONEY dressings are effective for the management of acute and chronic wounds and burns

• 5 Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT)

• 50+ Peer-Reviewed In-vivo Studies and Papers published

• 30+ Peer-Reviewed In-vitro Studies and Papers published

• 130+ In-vivo Posters presented

Two Key Properties

High Osmolarity

• Due to its sugar content, dressings are hypertonic Paste

• Facilitates movement of fluid from an area of higher concentration, across a membrane, to an area of lower concentration

• Osmotic potential draws fluid through the wound, to the surface helping to liquefy non-viable tissue

Wound bed with slough, eschar and elevated pH

Brings wound fluid to the surface with endogeous enymes, loosening and liquefying necrotic tissue

Non-viable tissue is removed

High Osmolarity

• MEDIHONEY has a low pH of 3.5-4.5

Effects of pH and Protease Activity

Protease Activity within a wound

• All wounds need a balanced amount of protease activity for healthy cell proliferation

• Proteases are enzymes released by inflammatory cells (macrophages and neutrophilis)

• At high pH levels, proteases are overactive and may cause wounds to stall

• Over-activity of proteases can result in breaking down tissue and slough production in the inflammation stage

A Guideline for Care

MediHoney® Dressing Application and Removal

• Wash hands thoroughly

• Apply gloves

• Assess the wound. Look for signs of healing. Also look for any signs of increased redness, pain, swelling, or heat within or around the wound*

• Cleanse the wound and skin around the wound with sterile saline, sterile water, or other safe wound cleansers

• Dry the skin around the wound by patting gently with gauze

• Protect the skin around the wound to avoid maceration. Apply a skin protectant barrier wipe or barrier ointment as necessary. (An initial increase in exudates may occur)

• Choose a MediHoney dressing that is appropriate for the amount of drainage:

– MediHoney Paste or MediHoney Gel for lightly to moderately exudating wounds that are hard to dress

– MediHoney HCS for non-draining to lightly exudating wounds that are superficial to partial thickness wounds

– MediHoney Calcium Alginate dressing for moderate to heavily exudating wounds

• Apply the appropriate MediHoney dressing to fit the wound. The MediHoney Calcium Alginate and HCS Non-adhesive dresings can be cut to fit within the wound edges.

• Apply an absorbent cover dressing to manage exudate (Xtrasorb® super absorbent dressings are recommended)

• Dressing change: Remove the dressing gently. If the dressing is difficult to remove, moisten with saline or water.

* The healthcare provider should be notified if the wound worsens. Report increased redness, pain, swelling, or heat on or around the wound.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are MediHoney® dressings made with regular honey?

No. MediHoney® dressings are made with a special honey that is derived from the nectar of the Leptospermum plant. This type of honey has unique properties that have been scientifically verified and shown in clinical trials and by other clinical evidence to be effective for the management of wounds and burns.1-3 In one randomized controlled trial, the mean healing time of wounds treated with MediHoney dressings was significantly faster than the mean healing time of wounds treated with conventional dressings.⁴

Why is MediHoney different than any other honey?

Unlike regular honey, MediHoney is controlled against a rigorous set of systems and standards, including independent monitoring and auditing, to guarantee quality and batch-to-batch consistency . It is also ultra filtrated and sterilized by gamma irradiation, removing any bacterial spores without loss of product effectiveness.3 MediHoney comes from a traceable source and is free of pesticides and antibiotics.3

What makes MediHoney effective for wound and burn care?

MediHoney dressings aids and supports autolytic debridement and a moist wound healing environment in acute and chronic wounds and burns,5-8 through two key mechanisms – high osmolarity and low pH. The high sugar content of honey facilitates movement of fluid from an area of higher concentration, across a membrane, to an area of lower concentration. Osmotic potential draws fluid through the wound, to the surface, helping to liquefy non-viable tissue. Additionally, MediHoney has a low pH of 3.5–4.5. Maintaining more acidic pH levels within the wound environment can help to keep a wound on track towards healing.

What is the difference between the MediHoney Gel and the MediHoney Paste dressing?

Designed to be different and provide a clinical benefit, MediHoney Gel dressings are made with Active Leptospermum Honey and combined with natural gelling agents, commonly used in dermatologic products, to offer a more viscous formulation with increased stability at the site of the wound. Even in the presence of body heat and wound fluid, MediHoney Gel is designed to keep the honey at the site of the wound for longer periods of time. It is safe and effective on a variety of partial to full thickness wound etiologies. MediHoney Paste dressings with 100% Active Leptospermum Honey is ideal for use in hard to dress wounds areas such as tunneled wounds, sinus wounds and wounds with undermining. The MediHoney Paste dressing has the ability to seep down into areas of the wound you may not be able to reach with other dressings.

What is the evidence to support the dressings’ usage?

There are over 200 pieces of evidence demonstrating MediHoney dressings are effective for the management of acute and chronic wounds and burns:

• 5 Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT)

• 30+ Peer-Reviewed In-vitro Studies and Papers published

• 50+ Peer-Reviewed In-vivo Studies and Papers published

• 130+ In-vivo Posters presented

More supporting evidence than any other medical-grade honey brand!

What are the most common uses of MediHoney dressings?

MediHoney dressings are safe, effective and versatile to use on a variety of wounds and are indicated for use on:

• Diabetic foot ulcers

• 1st and 2nd degree partial thickness burns

• Leg ulcers (venous stasis ulcers, arterial ulcers and leg ulcers of mixed etiology)

• Pressure ulcers / sores (partial and full thickness)

• Donor sites, and traumatic and surgical wounds

How often should the dressings be changed?

The change frequency of MediHoney dressings depends on the condition of the patient’s wound as well as the level of wound exudates. MediHoney dressings should be reapplied when the primary secondary dressing has reached its absorbent capacity.

Should a skin protectant be used prior to application?

Yes. Due to the osmotic potential there can be an increase in exudate and wound fluid to the wound area. Applying a skin protectant to the surrounding skin will help to prepare and protect the area from excess moisture and fluid.

What are the precautions?

• Due to the dressing’s low pH, some patients may notice a slight transient stinging. If stinging persists and cannot be managed with an analgesic, remove dressing, cleanse area, and discontinue the use of MediHoney dressing.

• During initial use of the dressing (depending on wound exudate levels, interstitial fluid, and edema surrounding the wound), the dressings’ high osmotic potential may contribute to increased exudate, which could lead to maceration if the excess moisture is not managed appropriately. Manage additional moisture by adding an absorptive cover dressing and/or adjusting the frequency of dressing change.

• During the healing process, due to autolytic debridement, it is common for non-viable tissue to be removed from the wound resulting in an initial increase in wound size. Although an initial increase in wound size may be attributed to the normal removal of non-viable tissue, consult a healthcare professional if the wound continues to grow larger after the first few dressing changes.

What are the contraindications?

• On third degree burns

• With patients that have a known sensitivity to honey or any other component parts specific to each dressing (please see package insert for more information).

• To control heavy bleeding

References:

1. Regulski, M. A novel wound care dressing for chronic leg ulcerations. Podiatry Management, 2008. November/December: p. 235-246

2. Robson, V., Dodd, S and Thomas, S. Standardized antibacterial honey (MediHoney®) with standard therapy in wound care: randomized clinical trial. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2009: p. 565-575.

3. Bateman S, Graham T (2007) The Use of MediHoney® Wound Gel on surgical wounds post-CABG. WOUNDS UK; Vol 3(3). 76 – 83.

4. Cadogan, J. (2008) The use of honey to treat an ulcer on the heel of a person with diabetes. The Diabetic Foot Journal;11. (1): 43-45.

5. Wijesinghe M, Weatherall M, Perrin K, Beasley R. Honey in the treatment of burns: a systematic review and meta-analysis of its efficacy. The New Zealand Medical Journal. 2009; 122(5): 47-60.

6. Becker B. If at first you don’t suceed…try HONEY for wound burn resolution. Approaches in Critical Care. 2012;

7 (2): 2-4. 7. Subrahmanyam M. Honey Dressing for Burns-An Appraisal. Annals of Burns and Fire Disaster. 1996; 9 (1).

8. Puljak L, et al. Commercial dressings for burns versus sweet ancient remedy. Intern Emerg Med. 2009; (4):53–56.

9. Subrahmanyam M. A prospective randomised clinical and histological study of superficial burn wound healing with honey and silver sulfadiazine. Burns. 1998; 24: 157-161.

10. In house data.