Manuka Honey and Eczema: Can You Use It? (All Answers)

Manuka honey is native to Australia and New Zealand but it is widely used all over the world. Its powerful antibacterial properties are what set it apart from regular or traditional honey.

This type of honey is used for wound healing, stomach ulcers, and periodontal disease. It is also recommended in studies for the treatment of sore throat and to improve digestive symptoms.

Here Is Why Manuka Is Great For Eczema:

One of its greatest benefits of Manuka honey is seen in the treatment of skin disorders including acne and eczema.

In fact, it is known as a “beauty lifesaver” because of its powerful properties to soften the skin, make it more hydrated, and regulate its pH level.

That is why we see many beauty products contain honey as an ingredient.

Regular or normal honey is also good for the skin but Manuka honey is simply a miraculous skin soother when it comes to burns, wounds, and severely dry skin.

Eczema is an inflamed skin condition characterized by itchy, dry, and red skin. Because of this condition, the skin becomes very sensitive and prone to infections.

If not treated on time, the condition worsens over time and make the dryness quite discomforting.

In this article, we will look at how Manuka honey helps in the treatment of this skin condition and how to use it on your affected skin. So, let’s get started.

Is Manuka Honey Good for Eczema?

The best treatment for eczema is one that soothes its symptoms, such as dryness and itching.

Manuka honey has been found to be very beneficial for both of these symptoms. Instead of using an anti-itch cream, you can try applying manuka honey directly onto the affected area and leave it there for some time.

Manuka honey contains high levels of a chemical known as methylglyoxal or MGO. It’s also rich in leptosperin, which is a well-known antibacterial compound.

These two compounds together make it more potent or stronger than normal honey. It’s a natural antibiotic and is known to kill germs and stop their further infestation.

A number of skin and beauty products contain honey as an active ingredient because it not just moisturizes the skin but also exfoliates it also.

Because of its strong antiseptic and antioxidant properties, it will make your skin soft to the touch, help remove blackheads, tighten the skin to clear away wrinkles and fine lines and make it stay hydrated for a long time.

Will Manuka Honey Help My Eczema?

Any type of honey would be effective to treat eczema but manuka honey goes a step further in helping with eczema because of its powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

Moreover, it’s not just antibacterial, but also bacterial resistant, which means that bacteria will not be able to develop resistance against it.

You can use it topically to clear up not just eczema symptoms but also blemishes and acne spots on your skin.

Since Manuka honey is expensive, some people try using normal or processed honey for the treatment of eczema. It is important to note that processed honey is pasteurized, which removes its pollen and propolis content.

As a result, this type of honey is not as effective for the treatment of redness and itching as raw or unprocessed honey.

It is therefore recommended to use only Manuka honey if you want to use as a natural alternative for chronic or severe case of eczema characterized by severe dryness and itchy skin.

Please note: If you have not used Manuka honey on your skin before, we advise to do a small patch test and leave for 5-20 minutes on the skin. If you feel any irritation on the skin, wash away with water and discontinue use. Then see your doctor for a new skincare recommendation.

Will Manuka Honey Soothe the Eczema Itch?

Eczema is a condition that is best treated by keeping the skin moisturized and hydrated at all times. Moreover, you need anti-inflammatory topical creams to soothe the inflamed skin and reduce itchiness.

Manuka honey has been found to be beneficial for both these conditions.

It is a natural humectant, which means it can retain your skin’s moisture and lock it there. If the skin stays hydrated for a long time, the symptoms like itchiness and dryness start to disappear slowly and eventually fade away completely.

Manuka honey is also recommended in studies for the treatment of itching on the ears or any other part of the body.

It is known to ease pain and inflammation and therefore effectively soothes the skin. In addition to eczema, Manuka honey is also known to be beneficial for acne and wounds.

Please note: If you try Manuka honey on your eczema it is always good to do a patch test (leave for 5 minutes) to see how it feels first before using any further. If you feel any negative reaction then do not continue using.

A different way to use Manuka is within a moisturizer, we make a products called Kreme Plus which you can apply to any part of the body.

Kreme Plus includes natural ingredients that include Manuka, Leatherwood, Jojoba Oil, Sunflower Oil, Shea butter, Avocado oil and Grape seed oil and is a completely natural cream, that many people use around the world. People use it for their eczema.

Does Manuka Honey Absorb Into The Skin?

Manuka honey contains special enzymes that are easily absorbed deep into the skin making it soft and supple.

Since it conditions the skin from deep within, it is recommended for getting a clear and glowing complexion.

Even if you don’t have any skin condition, such as acne or eczema, you can use Manuka honey as a face mask to get rid of aging signs and blemishes.

A good number of beauty creams and lotions found on the market contain honey because it readily absorbs in the skin, unlike other ingredients.

As a result, it gives you that healthy and fresh look that you always desire but seldom get with the help of other beauty products available on the market.

Honey can also be used with Aloe vera gel that further increases its cooling effect. This type of treatment is best for sunburn and eczema. However, make sure your skin is not allergic to Aloe vera by doing a patch test first.

Is Manuka Honey Good For Baby Eczema?

Babies and children are often seen with dry and itchy skin either due to very sensitive skin or extremely dry weather conditions.

Since they don’t know scratching and rubbing the skin will worsen the condition, their eczema keeps on deteriorating.

It is recommended to use honey and particularly medical-grade Manuka honey on a baby’s skin if they are suffering from dryness and eczema.

However, before applying honey to the baby’s skin, do a patch test to check if the baby’s skin is allergic to honey. Apply a very small amount of honey to an area of the skin and wait for about 20 minutes. If you see any rash or the baby seems irritated, clean it away and do not use it for eczema.

If you are wanting to use a Manuka cream, we also make a product called Baby Care Gold which includes ingredients including Manuka, Leatherwood, Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Zinc Oxide. All ingredients are all natural and this is available in our shop.

How Do You Apply Manuka Honey To The Skin?

It’s fairly easy and straightforward to use Manuka honey for the treatment of eczema and other skin disorders. Follow the steps below to apply Manuka honey to the skin and get relief from eczema symptoms;

Step #1 – Wash your hands and make sure the affected area is also dry and clean.

Step #2 – Apply a very thin layer of Manuka honey to the area affected by eczema. Do not rub it but make sure the entire area is covered completely. (Good to try a test patch first for 5 minutes to see how it feels before continuing).

Step #3 – Cover the area with gauze or a bandage and tie it very lightly. This is to ensure that honey stays in place and is able to transfer its medicinal properties to the affected skin. Leave the bandage on overnight.

Step #4 – In the morning, carefully remove the bandage and gently clean the area using a soft and clean cloth or towel.

When using it on the face, there’s no need to cover it with gauze. Instead, just apply it like a face mask and leave it on for 20-30 mins and then wash off.

You can use Manuka honey every day for eczema until the symptoms completely fade away. However, a very small percentage of people may be allergic to pollen or bee stings.

In these people, a skin rash may be seen as a side effect of topical application of Manuka honey or any other type of honey for that matter. If this occurs, discontinue its use and see a doctor.

Conclusion

People who suffer from eczema would know how painful and discomforting this condition is and how difficult it is to treat it completely.

There are many over-the-counter ointments and anti-itch creams available for eczema but they can have number of adverse effects (usually due to the combination of unnatural ingredients).

So it is best to always check the full ingredient list to make sure everything is natural.

Mr Bees Manuka makes 2 products that our customers use for Eczema-

Kreme Plus or

Baby Care Gold

Both made with love with all natural ingredients and made in Australia