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FAQ

1. Can Activon honey be used under compression bandaging?

The Activon range can be used under compression bandaging. The amount of exudate would influence your choice of Activon Tulle or Actilite with an appropriate absorbent secondary dressing such as Eclypse. The secondary dressing must be appropriate to the exudate level and will influence wear time.

2. Can Activon Tulle be folded and put into a cavity?

Activon Tulle dressings can be put into a cavity wound, again dependant on exudate levels. If there is a possibility of sinus within the wound base then Activon Tube should be used to ensure that the honey reaches the entire wound bed.

3. Can the Activon Tulle be unfolded to apply?

Activon Tulle can be unfolded and applied, however this will reduce the level of honey at the wound bed. The triple layer of the gauze delivers the optimum amount of honey to the wound bed therefore unfolding the dressing would affect efficacy.

4. Can your Manuka honey dressings be used on diabetic patients?

While there is no known case of honey influencing blood glucose levels adversely, it is recommended that the blood sugar levels of patients with diabetes are monitored when using honey.

5. Does the honey sting on application?

There have been reports of honey causing a stinging pain when applied to the wound. This appears to be due to the acidity of honey, as pain is not experienced when neutralised honey is used. The pain experienced does not seem to be indicative of damage being done to the wound, as wounds have healed rapidly in cases where patients have endured the pain to benefit from the stimulation of healing that they see, and in cases where analgesia has been used.

There is evidence that honey stimulates nocioceptors (Al-Swayeh and Ali, 1998), nerve endings that create a pain sensation in response to heat, acidity and some organic chemicals. It may be that it is not a direct effect of the acidity of honey, as neutralising honey could affect the ionisation of some of its components and make them unable to fit in the nocioceptors. It is possible that in some patients these nerve endings are sensitised and are more responsive to the acidity and/or the component organic chemicals of honey.

6. How long can the honey dressings be left on the wound for?

The dressings can be left in place for up to seven days, again this would depend on the exudate levels produced by the wound and the appearance of the dressing. As long as the dressing has maintained it’s original colour (the honey is present) it can remain in situ.

7. What are the contra indications for your Manuka honey?

Known allergy to bee-venom. Although no known instance of increased levels of blood sugar in patients with diabetes. It is advisable to closely monitor the levels. Increased pain may be experienced due to acidification.

8. What secondary dressing do you recommend?

It depends upon the level of exudate. Low to moderate exuding wounds 
we recommend the Advazorb® range of foam dressings. For medium to 
high exudate, we recommend Eclypse® super absorbent dressings.

9. Do honey dressings increase wound exudate levels?

Yes, this is due to osmotic action which is an important and integral 
part of how honey works. Ensure secondary dressing can cope with the 
increased exudate level. The high level of exudate should subside after 
time.