The Journal of the American Medical Association claims that invasive MRSA infections occur in approximately 94,000 people each year and are associated with approximately 19,000 deaths each year. Of these infections, about 86% are healthcare-associated and 14% are community-associated. That means you have a greater chance of contracting a MRSA infection from a visit to the hospital than anywhere else. In addition, the proportion of healthcare-associated staphylococcal infections that are due to MRSA has been increasing. 2% of Staph infections in U.S. intensive-care units were MRSA in 1974, 22% in 1995, and 64% in 2004. This increase is due to the bacterium's ability to mutate and become resistant to drugs. There are an estimated 292,000 hospitalizations with a diagnosis of S. aureus infection annually in U.S. hospitals. Of these, approximately 126,000 hospitalizations are related to MRSA.
There is no doubt that this mutating bacterium must be taken seriously, especially since it has become resistant to antibiotics. What most people don't know is that there is a special type of honey called 'Manuka Honey' that has been proven to be effective in destroying the super-bugs associated with MRSA. Honeymark International, a manufacturer of health care products containing Active Manuka Honey as a healing agent has developed a wound care product effective in fighting this battle against this deadly infection. Honeymark's "First Aid Antiseptic Lotion" helps protect against bacterial contamination and skin infection in wounds and burns. Most of this product's antibacterial properties comes from Manuka Honey.
Manuka Honey has an antibacterial activity, due primarily to hydrogen peroxide formed in a slow-release manner by the enzyme glucose oxidase. Manuka Honey also contains an additional antibacterial component found only in honey produced from Leptospermum plants (more commonly known as the Manuka Bush, indigenous to New Zealand) which has become known as the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF. There is evidence that the two antibacterial components have a synergistic action. UMF is not affected by the catalase enzyme present in body tissue and serum. The enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide in most common forms of honey becomes active only when honey is diluted. But UMF is active in full strength honey, which will provide a more potent antibacterial action diffusing into the depth of infected tissues.
The viscosity of Manuka Honey provides a protective barrier to prevent wounds from becoming infected. "Manuka Honey creates a moist healing environment that allows skin cells to re-grow across a healing wound flush with the surface of the wound, preventing scaring and deformity of the skin, says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "In other words, If a dry scab forms on a wound, the skin cells can only grow across the wound deeper down where it is moist." Manuka Honey causes scabs and dead cells to lift off the surface of the wound, leaving a clean healthy wound bed in which re-growth of tissue can occur. Manuka Honey also stimulates the formation of new blood capillaries and the growth of fibroblasts that replace the connective tissue of the deeper layer of the skin and produce the collagen fibers that give strength to the repair. It stimulates the growth of epithelial cells that form the new skin cover over a healed wound. Manuka Honey thus prevents scarring and keloid formation, and removes the need for skin grafting even with quite large wounds.
Frank Buonanotte feels that Honeymark's First Aid Antiseptic Lotion is the best wound care product on the market because of its ability to effectively treat MRSA/Staph infections, where other products have failed. Honeymark is also in the process of developing an antimicrobial spray that can be applied to both the skin and to hard surfaces as a precautionary measure in protecting against these anti-drug resistant bacteria. Honeymark expects this product to be available by the beginning of 2008. To purchase Honeymark's First Aid Antiseptic Lotion and other Manuka Honey products call 866-427-7329 or go to www.HoneymarkProducts.com.
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