MEDIHONEY®: A Natural Solution for Wound Care

MEDIHONEY® has become a trusted wound care product for many Americans. Available in both prescription-strength and over-the-counter formulas, it provides a safe and effective way to manage various types of wounds, including burns, arterial ulcers, and surgical wounds.

For individuals with underlying health conditions such as diabetes or venous insufficiency, MEDIHONEY can reduce the risk of infections, promote the removal of necrotic tissue, and support the body’s natural healing process.

Below is an FAQ that answers common questions about MEDIHONEY® for those new to wound care.

What is MEDIHONEY®?

MEDIHONEY® is a brand of wound care products made from 100% Leptospermum (Manuka) honey. Unlike regular honey, Manuka honey has natural antibacterial properties, helping to prevent bacterial infections and promote faster healing. It also works by absorbing moisture from wounds and has an anti-inflammatory effect, which helps reduce pain and speeds up healing.

What’s the difference between MEDIHONEY® and regular honey?

While both MEDIHONEY® and regular honey are made by bees, the key difference is the type of flower the bees pollinate. MEDIHONEY® is made exclusively from the nectar of the Manuka flower, which is native to New Zealand. Manuka honey contains a higher concentration of methylglyoxal (MGO), a compound known for its powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Each MEDIHONEY® product also comes with a unique Manuka factor (UMF) rating. The higher the UMF rating, the more MGO and healing compounds it contains. Ratings range from 0 to 16+, with anything above 16 indicating a high-quality product.

What is MEDIHONEY® used for?

MEDIHONEY® is available in several formulations, including gels, wound pastes, and calcium alginate dressings, each designed to treat specific types of wounds. Here’s a breakdown:

• MEDIHONEY® Wound and Burn Dressing Gel: Contains 80% Active Leptospermum Honey and is used for non-draining to moderately draining wounds, including:
  • Diabetic ulcers
  • Venous stasis ulcers
  • Arterial ulcers
  • Leg ulcers
  • Pressure ulcers
  • Burns
  • Donor sites
  • Traumatic wounds
  • Surgical wounds
• MEDIHONEY® Wound Paste: Contains 100% Active Leptospermum Honey. This paste is ideal for hard-to-dress wounds such as:
  • Tunneled wounds
  • Undermined wounds
  • Wounds involving the sinus tract
  • Surgical wounds
  • Pressure ulcers
• MEDIHONEY® Calcium Alginate Dressing: These dressings release Manuka honey when in contact with wound drainage, creating a gel that helps cleanse and debride the wound. Ideal for:
  • Partial or full-thickness wounds
• MEDIHONEY® Calcium Alginate Dressing Rope: These ropes are used for small to medium-sized wounds, including:
  • Pressure ulcers
  • Surgical incisions
  • Tunneling wounds
  • Sinus tracts
  • Donor tissue sites

Do you need a prescription for MEDIHONEY®?

No, you do not need a prescription for MEDIHONEY® in the United States. All MEDIHONEY® products are FDA cleared for over-the-counter use and can be purchased at major retailers, including grocery stores and big box stores, or directly from zushki.com.

How do I use MEDIHONEY®?

Before applying MEDIHONEY® to a wound, carefully follow the instructions provided with the product. Generally, the process involves the following steps:

1. Clean the wound with a saline solution. If necessary, apply a barrier cream around the edges to protect healthy skin.
2. Apply the MEDIHONEY® gel, paste, or alginate dressing directly to the wound.
3. Cover the wound with an absorbent sterile bandage or compression garment to secure the dressing.
4. Change the dressing regularly, cleaning the wound with saline and reapplying MEDIHONEY® as needed.

For maximum effectiveness, MEDIHONEY® should remain on the skin for 12-24 hours at a time. If you’re having trouble keeping the dressing intact, soak a gauze dressing in MEDIHONEY® or use MEDIHONEY® square dressing and apply directly to the wound, topping it with an abdominal pad dressing.

When using MEDIHONEY®, will I need any extra supplies?

To properly apply MEDIHONEY®, you will need the following supplies:

• Your preferred MEDIHONEY® product
• A saline cleaning solution
• Sterile scissors (if using a dressing)
• Absorbent secondary bandages, gauze pads, or compression garments

MEDIHONEY® calcium alginate dressings can typically be worn for up to seven days. Change the dressing as soon as the secondary bandage reaches its absorbent capacity or as prescribed by your loved one’s healthcare provider.

We hope this guide to MEDIHONEY® helps answer your questions. If you need further assistance or have more inquiries, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly Care Team. We’re here to help!

Call us at (800) 696-CARE or email us at support@zushki.com.