Honey: A Novel Treatment in Chronic Ear Infections

Abstract

Two chronic diseases of the ear are eczema of the ear canal and the chronically inflamed radical cavity. Both disorders are often difficult to treat. Medical honey is traditionally known as a wound healing agent but has never been studied as a treatment for chronic ear infections. This dissertation investigated the effectiveness of medical honey in two clinical studies. The treatment of patients with a chronically inflamed radical cavity with honey gel resulted in less inflammation, less discomfort and also fewer runny ears. In patients with chronic ear eczema, treatment with honey drops led to less discomfort and less itching. No significant side effects were seen during treatment. In this thesis it was further demonstrated that honey has a strong effect against bacteria, which is partly based on radical formation with α-oxaldehydes. Another wound-healing property of honey is the capture of oxygen radicals. In short, this dissertation shows that medical honey can offer a treatment alternative for chronic ear infections.