Manuka honey and BCG scab.....

[PutThatInYourPipeandSmokeIt]

DD's BCG scar is a hard raised wart like thing (she had the jab 6 months ago) and I was wodnering if anyone knows whether or not it's safe to put manuka honey on it to help with the appalling slow healing?!

I thought the BCG always scarred like a lump on the arm? Mine has and I had it done 30 years ago

Pineapple (fresh) contains enzymes (bromelain) that help to dissolve scar tissue, you could try some fresh pineapple juice, internally that is. The honey would probably have better effect internally as well, it's antiviral. Both are healthy foods.

'antiviral' won't help - BCG is a bacterial inoculation
and the pineapple enzymes would be denatured in your gut way before they made it to the scar

try manuka honey by all means though - won't hurt

Manuka honey should be fine and yes (providing she's over 1 and not allergic etc etc inset safety notice here) internally should do her good as well. Manuka honey is FANTASTIC stuff.

(The honey will also help with bacterial infection as well )

Oh I talked about this in some depth, and after reading lots of different studies on the net, I came to the conclusion that manuka honey is an effective antibacterial BUT (note this) NO MORE EFFECTIVE THAN ANY OTHER HONEY.

Honey is good for wounds, but manuka honey is not special - and the antibacterial effect is due in main (apparently) to the fact that when slightly diluted, honey produces hydrogen peroxide. Bleach. And manuka honey produces no more of this than Gales.

And yes, pineapple enzymes will be destroyed by the acid and enzymes in your stomach bile, so pointless exercise - saying that, pineapple is lish.

I was just going to put the honey directly on to the enormous chunky scab (it's not even got to the scar stage!)...

if it still has a scab and doesn't hurt it may help to pick it - yuk I know, butv you may find releasing any pus still trapped in there will speed healing.

They are very very strong in their advice to leave it alone and to not pick it under any circumstances, so I'm not happy to do that just incase!

BTW, liquids are absorbed through the mouth lining, not just through the digestive system, so fresh pineapple juice will help

swelling also creates localised scar tissue

True Manuka honey contains the same amount of the hydrogen peroxide as other honeys HOWEVER some Manuka honey also contains UMF which makes it superior to normal everyday table honeys. UMF is not even in all Manuka honeys so it's important to check the label. Basically the higher the UMF level the better antibacterial properties the honey will have

I put ordinary honey (with a plaster on top) on DD's BCG soon after she had the jab. It worked a treat - she has no scar or lump or anything.