Actilite Honey Impregnated Gauze Dressing – 10cm x 10cm

Manuka honey has several properties that make it particularly effective in the wound environment. Its naturally low pH creates an acidic environment that inhibits bacterial growth. Its high osmolarity draws fluid from wound tissue, creating conditions that are hostile to bacteria while maintaining moisture at the wound surface to support cellular repair. It generates low levels of hydrogen peroxide through enzymatic activity, which has an antimicrobial effect. Manuka honey also contains methylglyoxal, a compound unique to Manuka that contributes further to its antimicrobial action. Together, these properties help manage wound bioburden and support the conditions in which healing progresses.

Actilite is suitable for a broad range of wound types where a moist, antimicrobial wound environment is clinically indicated. This includes acute wounds such as lacerations, abrasions, and post-surgical wounds; chronic wounds such as venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, and diabetic foot wounds; infected or critically colonised wounds where bacterial burden is slowing healing; and sloughy or necrotic wounds where the honey's osmotic properties can assist with autolytic debridement. For all but minor acute wounds, Actilite should be used as part of a clinician-directed wound care plan.

Honey dressings have been used successfully in diabetic wound care and are not categorically contraindicated in diabetes. However, diabetic patients with wounds — particularly foot wounds — require careful clinical management given the increased risk of infection, impaired healing, and reduced peripheral sensation. Honey dressings in diabetic patients should be used under appropriate clinical oversight, and the wound should be assessed and managed as part of a comprehensive diabetic foot or wound care programme. Discuss this with your GP, practice nurse, or diabetic foot care team before using Actilite on a diabetic wound.

Actilite is a primary wound contact layer — its role is to create the right wound environment through honey impregnation and to sit against the wound surface without adhering. It is not designed to absorb and manage significant levels of wound exudate on its own. A secondary absorbent dressing placed over it captures wound fluid as it passes through the primary layer, preventing the dressing assembly from becoming saturated and maceration of the wound surround. The choice of secondary dressing should reflect the level of exudate — a simple dry pad for low exudate, a foam or superabsorbent pad for higher exudate levels.

Actilite's antimicrobial properties make it appropriate for managing localised wound infection and critically colonised wounds where bacterial burden is impeding healing. However, a wound with signs of spreading infection — cellulitis, red streaking, significant systemic symptoms — requires medical assessment and likely systemic antibiotic treatment. A wound dressing, however effective, cannot treat a spreading soft tissue infection on its own. If you are uncertain whether a wound is locally infected or systemically significant, seek clinical assessment before relying solely on a dressing intervention.

Dressing change frequency depends on the wound type, exudate level, and the supervising clinician's care plan. For lightly exuding wounds, Actilite may remain in place for several days. For highly exuding wounds, more frequent changes — potentially daily — may be needed to prevent the secondary dressing from becoming saturated. As a general principle, change the dressing when the secondary dressing is close to capacity, when there are signs of strike-through to the outer layer, or when the clinician's prescribed change interval is reached, whichever comes first.

The two sizes are identical in construction and formulation — both use the same Manuka honey and Manuka oil impregnated non-adherent gauze. The only difference is the physical dimension of the dressing. The 10cm x 10cm is suited to standard-sized wounds on the lower leg, torso, or other body areas where a larger dressing is appropriate. The 5cm x 5cm is better suited to smaller wounds, paediatric applications, or areas where a full 10cm dressing would be too large to position and secure neatly. Choose the size that best matches the wound dimensions, ideally extending a short distance beyond the wound margins.

Honey-impregnated gauze dressings can generally be cut to size where needed, but cutting should be done with clean, sharp scissors immediately before use in a clean environment. Cut edges of gauze can fray and shed fibres, so apply promptly after cutting and avoid excessive handling of the cut edges. If frequent size customisation is needed, it may be worth stocking both the 10cm x 10cm and the 5cm x 5cm formats to reduce the need for cutting and the associated fibre shedding risk. Confirm whether cutting is specifically endorsed for this product in the manufacturer's instructions.