Honey experiment with evidence Part II

Back in September of last year, I tried the honey experiment when I cut my finger with fairly good results.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to repeat it when I dropped a plate of frozen wontons and in the process of getting them off the plate, I once again cut myself. I sliced a pretty deep chunk off the tip of my index finger, two pieces, albeit smaller, from the middle joint of the middle finger, and another piece off of the knuckle on the ring finger. (This time, I think I'll spare you the pictures.) I thought about leaving one cut untreated as a control, but decided I couldn't take the pain.

I was googling the usage of honey as an antibacterial today and found an article online detailing the various properties for why honey makes a good topical antibacterial dressing. The one finding that makes the most sense to me is that honey contains glucose-oxidase. Meaning the enzyme is constantly turning sugar to small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which we all know has antibacterial properties, at a level that does not damage healthy cells. This is better than the 3% solution typically available at drug stores because at this level and form, not only does it damage healthy cells, but its effectiveness is limited as exposure to light and heat causes it to decompose to water and oxygen. Another interesting fact is that honey somehow is effective against resistant bacterial strains while also promoting healing. Studies found it to be effective against MRSA, ulcers, and burns of various kinds where "traditional" (ironic since the use of honey is actually older than any modern antiseptic we have) antibiotics have failed to make improvements at all.

From personal experience, I find that it helped with pain too. I generally try not to use band-aids for wounds, but with the skin having to create new layers instead of just stitching itself together, I have to use it to keep the wound clean. However, I always worry about too much moisture creating a bacteria friendly environment when using band-aids, so using honey for me is a peace of mind.

Update 3/30/10: by the third day the cut no longer hurts if I don't press on it. By the fourth day, I was able to take the band-aids off. New skin seems to be growing vigorously on the deep cut. The others formed scabs once exposed to air. There was a bit of inflammation that developed on the 5th day on the shallower cuts that weren't really there when the honey was on.

The Great Honey Experiment

One of the very first lessons in immunology is the various types of immune systems. We don't understand any of them completely. One of them is the natural anti-bacterial properties of honey. We don't know what it is, but honey can keep for a long time even after the bottle is opened.

I gashed my finger pretty bad while bbq'ing over the Labor Day weekend, stripping off a slice of skin on my left index finger. Without the strip of skin to cover the exposed dermis underneath, it really hurt. I thought that healing will take awhile too since cells have to slowly close the gap as opposed to "glueing" the two sides together. I put a band-aid on to keep it from hurting, but I also needed something else to keep the moisture from providing a good place for the bacteria to grow. What to put? Neosporin? Honey? Am I certain enough about the anti-septic properties of honey that I will risk the possibility of my finger rotting and falling off? Yes, why not? No, in biology, in theory things should work, but in reality, they never do. After much mental debating, I decided yes. It's not as big as a cut to the bone, let's try it. The thick viscous liquid will seal the wound, preventing air and moisture in, and who knows? Maybe the famed anti-bacterial properties will kick in and actually help.

The first time I put it on, the finger throbbed for a good while. After that, whenever I replaced the band-aid as it got moist, it only tingled. After two days, I am without the band-aid and painfree. The wound it mostly closed and sealed except for the deepest part. There is not redness or puffiness or other signs of infection.

Of course, this is one data point. It could totally be my awesome kick-ass immune and repair system. Or it could be my sterile technique. Or it could be me really trying to rip it open whenever I put on or take off the band-aid. Or it could be honey. Either way, it certainly didn't do any harm. And I think in the future, I will try again.

Remember the band-aid commercials, or perhaps it's the Neosporin commercials where a kid falls and the mom rubs on the anti-septic or puts on the band-aid? I am going to be the crazy mom that puts honey on the wound and tells him to beware of ants.