Podcast #240: Honey and Burns

Author: Nick Hatch, M.D.

Educational Pearls

• Honey can be used to treat burns because it has antibacterial properties. In one study, honey outperformed silver sulfadiazine for burn treatment, but more research is needed in this area.
• In practice, honey is likely more useful outside the ER than inside the ER.

References: Gupta SS, Singh O, Bhagel PS, Moses S, Shukla S, Mathur RK. Honey Dressing Versus Silver Sulfadiazene Dressing for Wound Healing in Burn Patients: A Retrospective Study. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2011;4(3):183-187. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.91249.