Honey for Eczema: What a Small Manuka Study Found
Honey for eczema is something many people with dry, itchy skin come across while searching for gentler options. A small 2017 study tested manuka honey on eczema patches and reported improvement. That is encouraging, but it was a very small study, and honey can cause reactions in people with pollen or bee allergies, who often overlap with people who have eczema. This article explains the research on honey for eczema, its limits, safety tips and the core eczema care dermatologists recommend. For dry skin in general, see honey for dry skin.
For general education only, not medical advice. Our honey is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
What eczema is
Atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema, causes dry, itchy, inflamed skin. It often starts in childhood and comes and goes in flares. The skin barrier is weaker than normal, letting moisture escape and irritants in.
People with eczema often have other allergic conditions, like hay fever or asthma. Triggers include dry air, harsh soaps, sweat, stress and certain fabrics.
The 2017 manuka study
Researchers published Honey is potentially effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in 2017. Fourteen adults applied manuka honey overnight to eczema patches on one side of their body for two weeks, leaving matching patches on the other side as a comparison.
The honey-treated side showed improvement in eczema scores. Lab work in the same study suggested honey may reduce some inflammatory signals in skin cells.
- Only 14 participants.
- No placebo cream on the comparison side.
- Two weeks of treatment.
- Larger, controlled trials are needed.
Why honey for eczema might help
Honey is a humectant, drawing moisture into the skin. It also has antibacterial activity in the lab, which is interesting because Staphylococcus aureus bacteria often colonize eczema skin and can worsen flares. A review of honey in dermatology discusses these properties.
Still, mechanisms in the lab do not always translate to real skin, and some people's skin will react to honey.
Allergy risk
Honey contains pollen and bee proteins. People with eczema are more likely to have allergies, so they may be more likely to react. Our article on honey allergy explains signs to watch for.
Always patch test: apply a small amount to the inner forearm and wait 24 to 48 hours before using it on larger areas.
Broken or infected skin
Kitchen honey is not sterile. Do not apply it to cracked, weeping or infected eczema. Signs of infection include yellow crusts, pus, spreading redness or fever, and they need medical care.
If you want to try honey for eczema, ask a dermatologist whether a sterile medical honey product is appropriate.
Core eczema care
Dermatologists focus on these basics:
| Step | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Moisturize at least twice daily | Repairs the skin barrier |
| Short, lukewarm baths or showers | Less drying |
| Fragrance-free cleansers | Less irritation |
| Prescribed creams during flares | Control inflammation |
| Identify and avoid triggers | Fewer flares |
| Soft, breathable fabrics | Less itching |
Honey for eczema in children
Children with eczema need gentle care guided by a pediatrician or dermatologist. Avoid putting honey on a baby's skin, especially near the mouth, since babies under 12 months must not swallow honey. For older children, talk to your doctor before trying honey on the skin.
Does eating honey help eczema?
There is no good evidence that eating honey improves eczema. Diet changes for eczema should be guided by a doctor, since unnecessary restrictions can harm nutrition, especially in children.
How people use honey for eczema
In the 2017 study, people applied a thin layer of honey at night and covered it with a gauze dressing. At home, honey can be sticky and messy. Some people prefer moisturizers that contain honey as one ingredient.
If you try it, stop if your skin stings badly, reddens or itches more.
When to see a dermatologist
See a dermatologist if eczema is widespread, disturbs sleep, keeps flaring despite good care, or looks infected. Modern treatments, including prescription creams and newer medicines, can control even severe eczema.
The bottom line on honey for eczema
Honey for eczema is an interesting area with one small positive study. It may be worth discussing with a dermatologist, but it should not replace proven care. Patch testing and sterile products are the safest route.
Honey for eczema and wet wraps
Dermatologists sometimes recommend wet wrap therapy for severe flares, where moisturizer or medicated cream is covered with damp then dry layers of clothing or bandages. The 2017 honey for eczema study used a similar idea, covering honey with gauze overnight.
Wet wraps should be done under medical guidance, especially in children, and with products your dermatologist recommends.
Tracking your skin
If your dermatologist agrees to a trial of honey, take photos of the same patches every few days in the same light. Note itch levels and sleep. This helps you judge whether anything is really changing, since eczema naturally flares and calms.
Honey for the breakfast table
Al Safa honey is raw food honey, never heated above hive temperature. It is made for eating, not for skin treatment.
Browse our honeys in the shop.
Sources
Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.
- Honey is potentially effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: Clinical and mechanistic studies · Immunity, Inflammation and Disease (via PMC)
- Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2013) · PubMed
- Dermatologists' tips to relieve dry skin · American Academy of Dermatology
Frequently asked questions
- Does honey help eczema?
- A small 2017 study found manuka honey improved eczema patches, but evidence is early.
- How do you use honey for eczema?
- In the study, a thin layer was applied overnight under gauze. Ask a dermatologist first.
- Can honey make eczema worse?
- Yes, if you are allergic to pollen or bee products. Patch test first.
- Is manuka honey better for eczema?
- The study used manuka. There is no evidence comparing honey types for eczema.
- Can I put honey on my baby's eczema?
- Avoid it. Babies under 12 months must not swallow honey. Ask your pediatrician.
- Does eating honey help eczema?
- No good evidence supports eating honey for eczema.
- How long did the honey for eczema study last?
- Two weeks of overnight application. Longer studies are needed to know about lasting effects.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor about any health concern. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.