What you need
- One sterile honey dressing (e.g. Activon Tulle, Algivon, Medihoney gel, L-Mesitran tulle) or honey tube
- Sterile saline or cooled boiled water
- An absorbent secondary dressing (foam or gauze pad)
- A retention bandage, film dressing, or tape
- Clean disposable gloves (optional)
Step-by-step
- Wash and dry your hands. Use soap and water, dry on a clean towel. Honey dressings are sterile but your skin isn't — clean hands prevent introducing new bacteria to the wound.
- Clean the wound (if instructed). Rinse with sterile saline or cooled boiled water. Pat the surrounding skin dry. Do not scrub the wound bed itself.
- Open the honey dressing. Tear the foil sachet at the notch. The dressing inside is sterile until it touches a non-sterile surface — handle only at the edges.
- Apply honey-side down. Place the honey-impregnated side directly on the wound. For a tube product (e.g. Activon Tube), squeeze a thin even layer onto the wound or onto a non-adherent pad first.
- Cover with a secondary dressing. Honey draws fluid out of the wound. Cover with an absorbent pad (e.g. foam or gauze) and secure with a bandage or film. The secondary dressing is what catches the extra fluid.
- Check the outer dressing daily. If the outer pad is saturated (wet through), change it. The honey layer underneath usually stays in place between full dressing changes.
- Full dressing change. Every 1–3 days at first; less often as the wound improves. If the dressing has dried onto the wound, soak it off with sterile saline — never pull a dry dressing.
When to call your nurse or GP
- Pain on application that lasts longer than an hour or is severe
- Redness spreading away from the wound edge
- Fever, chills, or feeling generally unwell
- A sudden increase in fluid or pus, or a change in odour
- No visible improvement after two weeks of regular dressing changes
Frequently asked questions
How often should I change a medical honey dressing?
Every 1–3 days at first, then less often (every 3–7 days) as the wound improves and produces less fluid. Your nurse will set the schedule. The outer absorbent pad may need changing more often if it gets saturated.
What if the dressing has stuck to the wound?
Don't pull. Soak the dressing with sterile saline (or cooled boiled water) for 5–10 minutes until it lifts cleanly. Pulling a dry dressing can re-injure healing tissue.
Can I get the dressing wet in the shower?
Honey dressings are not waterproof. Cover with a waterproof film dressing or a clean plastic bag for a quick shower, then dry the area thoroughly. Don't soak in a bath until the wound is closed.
What if it stings when I put it on?
A short stinging or drawing feeling in the first 15–30 minutes is normal — it's the osmotic effect pulling fluid out of the wound. It usually settles. If pain is severe, lasts more than an hour, or comes with spreading redness, contact your nurse.
Related guides
- Medical honey: a plain-English patient guide
- Manuka honey vs medical grade honey
- Side effects & cautions
- Where to buy medical grade honey