Honey-Based Hydrogel Dressing Treats First-Degree Burns

A wound dressing based on honey is effective for hard-to-heal wounds and burns, in addition to helping to debride wounds and keeping wound beds clean of necrotic tissue.

The MediHoney hydrogel wound and burn dressing contains active Leptospermum honey from New Zealand, affording them with unique qualities that assist the management of chronic and acute wounds and burns. The dressings are indicated for the management of wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous stasis and arterial leg ulcers, leg ulcers of mixed etiology, pressure ulcers, and first- and second-degree burns. The line consists of patented dressings that help to keep large amounts of the honey at the site of the wound, even in the presence of profuse amounts of wound fluid.


The hydrogel wound and burn dressing will be available in both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) formulations, and will be sold in several sizes and configurations, including dressings with and without an adhesive border. The MediHoney hydrogel wound and burn dressing is the fifth line extension of the MediHoney franchise, developed by Derma Sciences (Princeton, NJ, USA), and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“This proprietary dressing combines the proven healing properties of Manuka honey with hydrogels that provide and maintain a moist wound environment to help clean and debride necrotic tissue,” said Edward J. Quilty, president and CEO of Derma Sciences. “Importantly, this dressing does not adhere to the wound bed and, as such, will not disturb the wound bed during dressing changes. MediHoney Hydrogel dressing will be the first in the line that is directed to the treatment of burns, an enormous therapeutic area.”

Leptospermum honey, also known as manuka honey, is honey made from the tree genus Leptospermum, found in New Zealand and Australia. Honey from these trees has a particularly strong antibacterial effect, even in a 10% dilution. The antimicrobial properties have been identified as resulting from the active compound methylglyoxal, the aldehyde form of pyruvic acid.

Related Links:
Derma Sciences