[Treatment by honey for skin wounds in Abidjan].

Aims: The authors tested the effectiveness of honey on various types of wounds. They report in this work, the preliminary results of their study.

Materials And Methods: This is a prospective study conducted over a period of 12 months in the orthopedic trauma unit of the Cocody Abidjan University Hospital. Thirty-seven patients with various types of wounds were included in the study. Honey dressings were made every 48 hours.

Results: The evolution of the wounds was satisfactory on bacteriological and local levels, with a reduced healing time.

Conclusion: The use of honey in wound treatment dates back to ancient times. Currently we are rediscover its healing properties. Because of its high sugar concentration and its acidic pH, the honey is undeniably a hyperosmotic environment which inhibits the growth of pathogens. Honey also contains two product groups that act directly as antibacterial agents.