A bed sore or skin sore is also called an ulcer, pressure sore, decubitus ulcer or skin ulcer, is a pressure induced ulceration suffered by persons who are confined to their bed for long periods of time, people who are wheelchair bound, or people who have been hospitalized due to a broken hip. An ulcer usually starts with a patch of shiny, red skin ranging from mild inflammation to deep wound that can involve muscle and bone. Sometimes people can die from the infection resulting from a bed sore. Bed sores are not contagious. It is estimated that each year about 1 million Americans suffer from bed sores, about 10% hospitalized patients, 25% nursing home residents and 60% quadriplegics.

Where do bed sores and ulcers develop?

The most common place for a bed sore to develop is on the right or left side of the hips. Other locations include an ulcer along the spine, shoulder blades, lower back, knees, ankle, heels, elbow and the back of the head.

What is the cause of an ulcer?

Bedsores most often develop when constant pressure pinches tiny blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to the skin. When skin is deprived of oxygen and nutrients for as little as an hour, areas of tissue can die and bedsores can form.

When an illness forces a person to be bed ridden for days, weeks and sometimes even months, the skin becomes very fragile and thin, especially in older people. When the skin becomes so paper thin and fragile, the entire area where the person touches the sheets of the bed, from the weight of the body itself, can cause the skin to rupture and cause an open bed sore. A bed sore develops when constant pressure pinches tiny blood vessels, depriving the skin of oxygen and nutrients needed to maintain a healthy skin. If the skin is exposed to pressure for as little as just one hour, cells can dies and a bed sore can from. In order to help prevent a bed sore from forming, it is therefore crucial to move a patient into a new position once and hour and to protect the fragile skin from touching the bed or other skin directly with sheep fur padding.

What are the developing stages of a decubitus ulcer?

• thinning of the skin due to skin pressure
• redness of skin
• peeling of the outer layer of the skin
• death of tissue in deeper layers including fat and muscle cells
• if left un-treated, the bed sore can develop into a deep wound to the point of bone becoming visible
• increased infection and blood infection can lead to a life-threatening condition as well as to a sore filled with pus and a foul smell

Other risks involved with a bed sore?

• diabetes (slow healing wounds)
• obesity
• spinal cord injury
• paralysis
• immobility due to illness
• muscle atrophy
• incontinence, causing further infection of the ulcer when a patient is neglected for a longer period of time, laying in his / her own waste in unsanitary conditions and / or wrinkled sheets
• poor circulation / lack of feeling
• atherosclerosis - hardening of the arteries
• heart problems
• anemia (lack of red blood cells)
• malnutrition

How can an ulcer / bed sore be prevented?

When a person is confined to their bed for a longer period of time, they need careful attention and care either by family members who have been instructed by a nurse or doctor on how to look for first signs of a bed sore, and take immediate action to help avoid the breaking of the skin and the beginning of an open bed sore. It is crucial to keep turning the patient every couple of hours, to help prevent pressure sores from occurring. The patient will also require special padding with large, soft pillows or sheep skin pads in between legs and feet, in order to help prevent pressure sores between knees and ankles.

How to treat a bed sore naturally with active manuka honey?

Active Manuka Honey is an all natural antibacterial wound care dressing for an ulcer, bed sore, pressure sore, decubitus ulcer and skin ulcer. Before applying the honey dressing to a wound, wash the affected area gently with warm water or a saline solution. Depending on the size of the ulcer, apply 1-2 teaspoons or tablespoons of Active Manuka Honey to a sterile gauze, then apply the gauze with the honey attached, to the bed sore. Apply a second gauze layer on top of first gauze to help prevent leakage and keep the second gauze in place, by applying friendly skin tape, where the skin is strong enough to hold the tape.

The honey wound dressing is changed every 24 hours. Changing the wound dressing is a painless procedure, because the honey creates a natural barrier between the ulcer and the dressing for easy removal. Wash the wound with warm water or a saline solution before applying a new manuka honey dressing.

The topical application of Active Manuka Honey is an excellent natural treatment for an ulcer, bed sore, pressure sore and skin ulcer. Active Manuka Honey can be an effective antibacterial natural bed sore treatment. Active Manuka Honey has natural antibiotic properties defined as UMF (Unique Manuka Factor). More information, click on UMF Rating. Active Manuka Honey has been extensively researched by Dr. Molan of the Waikato University in New Zealand for over 20 years. Active Manuka Honey seems to naturally destroy most wound bacteria, staphaureus, streptococcus, as well as Methicillin-Resistant Staph Auereus (MRSA), also known as the Hospital Superbug.

How do I store Active Manuka Honey?

Store Honey at room temperature. There is no need for refrigeration. Do not leave the honey in direct sunlight. Store honey in kitchen cupboard or first aid closet.

Ingredients: Active Manuka Honey

Advantages of treating a bed sore with Active Manuka Honey?

• No known side effects
• Painless wound dressing change
• Active manuka honey helps to draw out wound impurities and lift off dead cells
• Active Manuka Honey naturally destroys wound bacteria, but leaves the 'good' bacteria alone
• Active Manka Honey 'feeds' the wound with sugars, which in turn produce new cells to help close a wound
• Anti-inflammatory effect
• Guaranteed antibacterial level 4 times greater than standard
  antiseptic (minimum 18% carbolic equivalent
• Speeds up wound healing
• No mal odor
• No skin grafting or surgery needed in most cases
• Seems to be effective against MRSA
• No ugly scars
• Cost effective

Which Manuka Honey strength should I use for internal or external applications?

Active Manuka Honey with a UMF range between 16-18:

Internal uses of Active Manuka Honey include: acid reflux, esophaghitis, heartburn, gastritis, up-set stomach (after food poisoning), stomach ulcer, h. pylori (helicobacter pylori = stomach ulcer causing bacteria), duodenal ulcer, ibs (irritable bowel syndrome) and mild forms of diverticulitis and colitis, short, Active Manuka Honey is used to help sooth and heal gastro-intestinal issues naturally.

External uses of Active Manuka Honey include:
First degree burn, second degree burn, third degree burn, chemical burns (after thoroughly washing off chemicals with cool water), wounds, infectious wounds, MRSA and/or VRE staph infected wounds, wounds that just wont heal with traditional medicine such as antibiotic ointments, cortison creams etc. old war wounds, amputation stump wounds, chronic wounds, post-operative scars (after caesarean, shoulder or hip operations, cosmetic surgery, tummy tuck, face lift, any surgery that leaves a scar...) first aid wound treatment, ulcers, decubitus ulcers, skin ulcer, diabetic foot ulcers, diabetic leg ulcers, diabetic wound, sores, bed sores, leg sores, scars, insect stings, insect bites, poison oak, poison ivy, minor cuts, abrasions, scratches, itches, severe adult or teenage acne...

We recommend that you document the wound healing progress by taking good, sharp clear digital photos with good lighting. Take a photo about every 3-4 days or more, depending on how fast the wound is healing. When you submit the wound photos to us, and with your permission to publish the photos online at www.manukahoneyusa.com/CustomerTestimonies.htm, we will send you a reward including free shipping. By submitting your photo story to us, you will help other people by encouraging them to give this medicinal honey a try.

Active Manuka Honey with a UMF 10+

Most people use Active Manuka Honey with a UMF range between 16-18 for internal and external applications. However for some people this honey may be too strong and could burn and sting when applied to an external wound. If one feels a burning or stinging sensation lasting longer than 10-15 minutes after application to a wound, or it is simply too painful, one needs to wash off the honey and do one of the following things:

1. Switch to using Active Manuka Honey 10+ for external wound care, or

2. Mix Active Manuka Honey with a UMF range between 16-18 with equal parts, 50/50, with Regular Manuka Honey, then re-apply this mix to the wound. This way you are still using Active Manuka Honey with a lesser strength. This mix should no longer burn or sting. However, for a few people who are extremely sensitive this 50/50 mix may still be too strong. In this case you could try using just Regular Manuka Honey for wound care, as Regular Manuka Honey still has natural anti-bacterial strength, a strength that is less than UMF 10.

Regular Manuka Honey:
Regular Manuka Honey is used for medicinal purposes when experiencing a sore throat, cold, canker sore, fever blister or for manuka honey facials when suffering from acne,  pimples or other skin care issues. Spas mix Regular Manuka Honey into their secret blend of facial masks and body toners. The customer may never know, why the facial mask feels so good and cleansing, clearing the skin from impurities, thanks to the honey's natural "drawing effect". After the facial, the skin feels nice, clean, plump and nourished. You can also use 100% Regular Manuka Honey for facials you can do at home.

Instructions for Manuka Honey Facials:
Tie hair up and away from face. Wash face with Royal Jelly Soap and pat skin dry. Take 1-2 teaspoons of Regular Manuka Honey and spread all over face, the same way you apply sunscreen. Leave Manuka Honey mask on for 30-60 minutes, then wash off with warm water. For dry skin type, apply 7 Cream to face after facial. For regular skin, apply Royal Jelly Hand & Body Lotion which is also used for the face. If you have a more severe, infected adult acne type problem, you can use Active Manuka Honey for the facial.

Regular Manuka Honey is also eatable and tastes delicious in tea, on toast, mixed with butter or peanut butter and is also used as the 'secret' ingredient in cooking, baking and BBQ sauces. Manuka Honey adds a special, unique and non-descript flavor, that no one can really pin point (not even chef cooks!).

Important Note:
After listening to our customer's feedback since 1994, we know that an Active Manuka Honey with a UMF range between 16-18 is the most effective, beneficial and therapeutic for both internal and external applications.

This is the reason, why Manuka Honey USA does not promote Active Manuka Honey with a rating of 20+,25+,30+ etc. because it is way too strong! Not only will you pay a lot more money for such extremely high rated honey, but most people will experience adverse reactions. No, pain, no gain, is NOT true when it comes to healing internal and external ailments naturally with Active Manuka Honey.

When searching information online, one clearly gets the impression that "the higher the UMF rating the better". For more information about the UMF Rating and the most beneficial UMF range, click on the following link:
http://www.manukahoneyusa.com/UMF-Rating.htm

Customer Testimonies:
Our Customer Testimonies can be searched by illness, by product, all testimonies, from medical professionals and the most popular link are the photo testimonials. All testimonies and links are found at:
http://www.manukahoneyusa.com/customer-testimonies-by-illness.htm

In Summary:
Use Active Manuka Honey with a UMF range between 16-18 first, if too strong, try Active Manuka Honey 10+ or mix Active Manuka Honey with a UMF range between 16-18, equal parts 50/50 with Regular Manuka Honey. If you have any further questions regarding the use of Active Manuka Honey, simply please email us at: manuka@manukahoneyusa.com

Do you have Customer Testimonies?

Customer Testimony: "How Active Manuka Honey closed an open Decubitus Wound in only 12 days!

"I applied your active manuka honey to my mothers open decubitus wound. Within only 3 days, the infection cleared up nicely and the wound closed within 12 days. We are amazed. I showed her doctor how nicely the wound healed - he was quite surprised. I hope he orders some Active Manuka Honey from you for his patients... Thank You for your professional and fast service." M.A. St. Louis MO

Customer Testimony: How Active Manuka Honey helped my mother with MRSA

Hello Paula,
We have been a Manuka Honey Customer since the old Oregon days, and we love all your products. But this letter is about how much your Active Manuka Honey has helped our family. First of all, my mother contracted a staff infection known as MRSA, and we tried the Active Manuka Honey with great success. The MRSA has not shown back up again. Also for me with my heartburn and throat problems, I found that the Active Manuka Honey settled all that along with settling the stomach. I would recommend all your products to the public, soap, toothpaste etc. We continue to use the honey all the time, and it has a great flavor for use on toast and in tea and cooking. Thank you for keeping these great products on the market. Thank you so much and God Bless you Paula. Sincerely P.B.W. Pompano Beach, FL

Honey, 'Weapon against super bugs'
BBC news article. Manuka Honey used for MRSA.

Scientists claim to have discovered that honey can be used as a natural remedy to hospital infection "superbugs" MRSA, which are resistant to strong antibiotics.

Customer Testimony: Using Active Manuka Honey for Leg Ulcers

"Dorothy is my sister. She has leg ulcers on her ankles. She thinks she has a stomach ulcer too. She has been using the Active Manuka Honey on her legs and notices a change already...  Thank you for being so prompt in getting it shipped." R.M. Kansas

Customer Testimony: Using Active Manuka Honey for Large Boil  on left Leg

This last winter, I developed a large boil on the shin of my left leg. I kept it clean and covered and used antibiotic ointment, but with no results. One morning, I got up and the boil had developed a crater 1/2 inch across, with a black, necrotic area 1/2 inch out from the edges of the crater and redness another 1 1/2 inches, a total of about 4 inches across. It was not a diabetic ulcer, as I do not have diabetes, but  it was quite nasty.
Needless to say, that scared me. So I got on the internet and searched for something that might work. I came across the Manuka Honey USA's website. I ordered the honey and it was delivered the next day. I immediately started the honey dressings, changing twice a day at first. The next day, things were about the same, but after that, I began to notice the wound gradually getting better day by day, until it was healed. It took a total of about two weeks. J.B. Boynton Beach, FL

Customer Testimony: How Manuka Honey healed ulcer on ankle. Ulcer did not heal with conventional medication after 4 month treatment!

"Hello. Thanks for your quick service on my recent order. Manuka Honey is highly acclaimed in the UK. My mother who is 88 works and is very active, happened to bang her ankle at work and opened up an ulcer. After 4 months of conventional medicine nurses coming and changing dressings and showing no improvement, she asked her doctor if she could use alternative medicine to which she agreed. My sister got her a jar of the Manuka Honey which is applied with sterile dressings and within 3 weeks her leg is healing and my mother is back at work. The nurses that came to dress my mothers ankle are now recommending Manuka Honey for other patients. Thanks." L.N. New York

Customer Testimony: How Active Manuka Honey healed Spider Bite:

Comment: Even though a spider bite is not the same as a bed sore, it still clearly demonstrates how an open flesh wound healed beautifully with Active Manuka Honey.

"My wife suffered spider bites on her lower left leg. The spider bites got out of control and caused the skin to break, which ended in 4 open sores, looking like bed sores. The sores got infected. The doctor tried to heal the sore with conventional wound healing methods, but he did not succeed. He also ordered a skin graft, which also got infected. After a 6 month ordeal, we looked for help online and found the site www.manukahoneyusa.com, which had Active Manuka Honey for sale. This honey is used for infectious wounds. There was nothing to loose, so we placed an order and started using Active Manuka Honey. It took only 6-8 weeks of honey treatment, now the highly infectious wound is almost healed!  Praise the Lord for his bees!" Mr. and Mrs. T. Brick N.J.

Following are BEFORE and AFTER Photos, illustrating the severe spider bite infection, and the healed skin after applying Active Manuka Honey.a

Customer Testimony: How Active Manuka Honey completely healed 5 year old Ulcer on toe. Doctors wanted to amputate toe!

"I just want to let you know that the ulcer located on one of my toes, completely healed with your Active Manuka Honey. I've had the ulcer for 5 years and doctors told me that they would need to cut off my toe that won't heal. My wife searched on the internet for natural remedies and found Active Manuka Honey for wound dressings." J.S. Ilinois

How can I purchase Active Manuka Honey?
To purchase Active Manuka Honey or any other Manuka Product, go to our Secure Online Shopping Cart at:www.manukahoneyusa.com/SecureShopping.htm

How long has Manuka Honey USA been in business?
MANUKA HONEY USA is the First and Original Manuka Honey Company in the US. We have been serving our world-wide Clientele since 1994. We import our honey directly from our New Zealand Bee Keepers and ship it throughout the United States, Canada and the rest of the world. For more information about the company, go to: About Us
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