Honey is not the “all-power protection” of the wound.
In daily life, many people hear the saying that when there are wounds in the body, bee-painting prevents infection and treats honey as a natural cure for wounds. However, it is a mistake, and we need to understand the true role of honey in the treatment of wounds.
Honey, in terms of composition, consists mainly of a large number of sugars, such as glucose and fruit sugar, with a small amount of enzyme, vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It is considered to be the basis for preventing the infection of the wound, on the one hand, because of its high permeability and its ability to absorb moisture from the tissue around the wound, thereby creating a relatively low-water environment on a local level, where bacterial growth and reproduction are somewhat inhibited by water scarcity. For example, a few small, shallow wounds, when painted with honey, can make the surface dryer and appear to be detrimental to the survival of bacteria. On the other hand, certain enzymes in honey, such as glucose oxidation, can produce hydrogen peroxide, which has anti-bacterial properties that can kill or inhibit some bacteria.
However, it is a multi-factor and complex process. Once the wound is formed, it is as if the door had been opened for bacteria, and all kinds of bacteria in the environment, such as the golden screen, coliform, etc., can enter the wound. These bacteria are rapidly growing at the wound, using nutrients seep from human tissues, and release toxins, causing inflammatory reactions, ranging from local bruises and pains in the wound to possible overall symptoms of fever and sepsis.
Despite these characteristics, honey cannot effectively prevent all injuries. First, honey itself is not sterile pure. During their production, collection and storage, they are highly vulnerable to contamination by various micro-organisms. If the honey that contains the fungus is painted on the wound, it will not prevent the infection, but will introduce new bacterial and fungi pathogens into the wound, increasing the risk of infection significantly. For example, sprouts of bacterium in honey, which may occur under certain conditions, occur at the wound and cause disease.
Second, honey has a limited antibacterial spectrum. It may have some inhibiting effect on some of the most common Grelan positive bacteria, but honey has little defence against many Grelan cactus, drug-resistant bacteria and infections caused by viruses, fungi, etc. In modern medicine, specialized wound disinfectants, such as iodine volts, can kill a wide range of pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses and fungi, and provide more comprehensive and reliable sterilization safeguards for wounds.
Besides, it’s not just antibacterial. In the case of wounds that are deeper, larger or have alien residues, originalization is required, i.e., the complete removal of dead tissues, foreign matter, etc. within the wound, in order to prevent the presence of a “hotbed” in which bacteria breed. It is clear that honey will not be able to carry out such an initial mission. Reliance on honey alone will continue to cause inflammation, even if honey has some anti-bacterial resistance, and it will be difficult to prevent infection and development.
Honey may be used as a temporary emergency in certain special emergencies, such as in remote areas of the wild where injuries are sustained and medical assistance is not available in a timely manner, but this is no substitute for formal medical treatment. Once the conditions permit, it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible, so as to allow for the regular cleaning, disinfection, rehabilitation and dressing of wounds.
We must understand that it is a misconception to wear honey when there is a wound in the body to prevent infection. The correct approach is based on the type, size and severity of the wound, using scientifically sound treatment methods, such as washing the wound first with liquid water, removing surface stains and disinfecting it with appropriate disinfectants and, if necessary, providing aftercare for the wound, so as to effectively reduce the risk of infection and facilitate its smooth healing.
