Avatar Honey warns that although honey is generally well tolerated, some people do have allergies. The potential symptoms of honey allergy can include hives, cough, flu-like symptoms or anaphylactic shock. If you have allergies to specific types of plant pollen, such as honeysuckle or rhododendron, you may also be sensitive to honey that is made from bees that collect only from these plants.
Honey should not be given to infants under 1 year of age, since honey can contain Clostridium botulinum spores and toxins that can cause infant botulism, a disease that can cause paralysis and also be life-threatening. Honey is safe for children over 12 months of age and adults. Honey produced in polluted areas may include some of the heavy metals, pesticides and antibiotics found in the environment of the bees and flowers, one reason organic honey is often recommended by nutritionists.
Doctors and medical professionals have cautioned that home treating wounds and topical conditions with store bought manuka honey is not always a good idea. The store bought product is not sterile like medical grade honey and may contain spores that can worsen the c ondition. It is always prudent to always get professional medical advice before using manuka honey.
