title: The efficacy and safety of natural honey on the healing of foot ulcers: a case series.
abstract: This clinical observation investigated the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and acceptability of natural honey on the healing of a variety of chronic foot ulcers at the primary care level.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 12 patients with foot ulcers utilizing natural honey as an effective alternative to more expensive, advanced wound products were followed. Cases were referred to Umgwailinah Primary Health Care Center, Doha, Qatar from different health centers and from Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar. There were also self-referred cases. After rinsing the site with normal saline, natural honey was applied and the wound was covered by glycerin-impregnated gauze (Adaptic Non-Adhering Dressing, Systagenix, San Antonio, TX) to prevent the absorption of honey into the cotton gauze and away from the wound site. Patients were followed on a daily basis for an average of 4 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All ulcers healed with no contractures or scars with a mean healing time of 3 weeks. There was a 75% reduction in the dressing budget of the health center and a high level of satisfaction among both health professionals and patients. Patients' pain levels were reduced significantly after using natural honey, as evidenced by the use of the Visual Analog Scale.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of natural honey in the management of chronic foot ulcers proved to be efficacious, cost-effective, and acceptable by both clinicians and patients.
authors: Weill Cornell Medical College, Al Rayyan, Qatar; email: fmcc2000@gmail.com.
authors: Hashim
authors: H
authors: Mohamed
authors: Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
authors: Mansour Abu
authors: MA
authors: Salma
authors: Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
authors: Badriya
authors: B
authors: Al Lenjawi
authors: Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
authors: Seham
authors: S
authors: Abdi
authors: Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
authors: Zaghloul
authors: Z
authors: Gouda
authors: Weill Cornell Medical College, Al Rayyan, Qatar.
authors: Nour
authors: N
authors: Barakat
authors: Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
authors: Hisham
authors: H
authors: Elmahdi
authors: Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
authors: Sisy
authors: S
authors: Abraham
authors: Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar;
authors: Abdul Hakeem
authors: AH
authors: Hamza
authors: Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar;
authors: Dhyiaa
authors: D
authors: Al Khozaei
authors: Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar;
authors: Shawqia
authors: S
authors: Al Majid
authors: Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar;
authors: Hanaa
authors: H
authors: Al Majid
authors: Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar;
authors: Johina
authors: J
authors: Abdini
authors: Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar;
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Al Jaber
authors: Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar;
authors: Fareeda
authors: F
authors: Al Masseh
authors: Weill Cornell Medical College, Al Rayyan, Qatar.
authors: Amal Abdulla
authors: AA
authors: Al Ali
mesh_terms: D001458:Bandages; D002921:Cicatrix; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016523:Foot Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*; D006722:Honey; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011780:Qatar; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha