Manuka honey on incision areas of my mommy makeover? Good or bad? (Photo)

Question

My incisions are not infected. However, I have seen the miracles that manuka honey can do. I put it on cuts and scrapes all the time rather than antibiotic ointments. It healed my husbands MRSA on his leg some years back in a matter of days. If my doctor suggests putting on an antibiotic ointment, why not use manuka instead? Any research on this topic? I like alternative medicine but I don't do things without asking my doctor first. Just curious why holistics are not used ever suggested?

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your pictures and questions. You appear to be healing well and have a great result. In regards to incision management, each surgeon has his or her own preferences and recommendations. You are correct in that honey is a natural anti-microbial and can sometimes function in place of antibiotic ointment. If you would like to substitute that, then I think you should discuss that with your surgeon to make sure he or she is ok with that. But I think it would be fine if that is what you prefer. The reason we as surgeons do not suggest these things is there is no FDA regulations for these types of treatments. When we recommend abx ointment, we know exactly what is in it and what dose. With natural remedies, there are no regulations and there is no dosage information. It does not mean it does not work, it just means that we can no deliver consistent results without standardization.Hope this helps!

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Your surgeon and his team are the best people to ask this question to. Every patient is different and has a different medical history. Holistic medicine is used in certain situations but nothing should be used without asking your surgeon, first.

Kiran Polavarapu, MD · Answer

I would highly recommend avoiding manuka honey on scars. At this time, products like these, because they are not harvested and supplied in the same sterile way that medicines are, could have bacteria and/or preservatives in them that could cause infections or irritations. Also, studies on Manuka for scarring are limited and have not been proven to improve scars. Talk with your plastic surgeon. Aggressive scar massage (when its ok with your prs) and silicone scar therapy has been proven to help.

Michael M. Omidi, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for an interesting question! Manuka honey has been used to reduce scarring and lower the risk of infection due to its antibacterial qualities. That being said, it's not essential to use it if you're healing well. If you'd like to experiment with this ointment, I'd advise consulting your plastic surgeon first. 
An in-person exam with a board-certified surgeon is the best way to assess your needs and obtain expert medical advice. Best of luck!

Steven Turkeltaub, MD · Answer

If you have the urge to manuka honey on your incisions at present, you definitely need to discuss this with your surgeon as he/she operated on you. He/she can discuss with you whether or not there is a need to put anything on your incisions - manuka honey or anything else. Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Forrest S. Roth, MD, FACS · Answer

If your incisions are healing well, & you have no signs or symptoms of an infection, I would not use honey or antibiotic ointment.  I prefer Aquaphore twice daily to keep the scars soft & flat.

Manuka honey on incision areas of my mommy makeover? Good or bad? (Photo)

Answers (6)