Wounds
Non-healing wounds may be among the most under-reported health challenges in rural areas of developing countries.
Lack of knowledge, limited access to medical care, insufficient medication and even debilitation caused by the wound itself are contributing factors. Complications from these wounds often lead to deep infections of the bone and joints with life-long consequences. Even simple cases of cellulitis and osteomyelitis can lead to very serious and life-threatening conditions. This widespread problem of open wounds, infection and debilitation can, for the most part, be eliminated with education and effective treatment at reasonable costs.
“IMO saved my life.”
Forty-seven year old Florence lives in the Ugandan village of Ambe Olieyko and works in the farm fields surrounding her home. Her lower left leg was pricked by a stick and within 3 months, the prick progressed to a non-healing wound. In October 2019, the leader of her village summoned us to her home where we found her incapacitated and in excruciating pain. We observed significant lymphedema and purulent drainage from a large open wound. The small prick in her skin developed into cellulitis and an abscess of the lower left limb with likely osteomyelitis.
Treatment consisted of Ampicillin/Cloxicillin for 5 days and Doxycycline twice a day for 10 days in addition to gentle yet steady scrubbing of the lower leg and wound with soap and water. Also, we applied raw honey to the eschar around the perimeter of the wound and wrapped it with a clean gauze dressing.
By November, Florence had responded very well to treatment as the swelling in her leg reduced and the wound began closing up. By December, the entire wound had closed and Florence was back on her feet.
Florence reported that she had no hope of recovery and had even prepared for her untimely death. During her treatment and recovery, she became the “happiest patient” our team has ever seen and continues to spread the news of her recovery far and wide.
What’s that buzz?
Honey’s remarkable soft-debriding action induces gangrenous and necrotic tissue to soften, allowing the tissue to be easily removed. This promotes the formation of granulation tissue and advanced epithelialization. Honey absorbs fluid out of damaged tissues which reduces edema and encourages the flow of lymph as well as lowering the pH of wounds creating the optimal wound healing environment.
Honey is reported to be soothing when applied, with a diminution of local pain. Odor is reduced. And when applied as a wound dressing, honey’s viscosity and antibacterial effect provides a barrier to cross-infection.
Clinical observations are that even heavily infected wounds, in conjunction with traditional treatment with antibiotics, are rapidly cleared with the formation of clean, healthy granulation tissue.
In 2019, we constructed our first beehive at our Uganda office and harvested 5 liters of raw honey within one year.
Jeska
Forty one year-old Jeska is a widow with three young children and lives in the Tengu village of northwest Uganda’s Papoga parish. She visited our first wound clinic with a large mass on her right jaw which had been growing for several years. She sought help but was turned away from several health centers because of her inability to pay. When she presented to our clinic, the growth was very large and had distorted her face leaving her unable to speak, eat, or work. She drooled constantly and was in pain.
Although we could not treat this wound, Jeska clearly needed surgical intervention that she could never afford on her own. We made arrangements for her to be evaluated at a major surgical center in Kampala. The CT scan conclusion was an aggressive, bone-destructive lesion involving the entire right mandible, likely benign.
Jeska had a mandibulectomy with the entire tumor and right jaw removed and replaced with a metal plate. After a long but stable post-op period, Jeska is now back home working and raising her children.