Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Thermal Burns
What is a Thermal Burn?
A thermal burn is an injury caused by heat damaging the skin and underlying tissues. Burns can happen from chemicals, flames, hot liquids, steam, hot surfaces, or other heat sources.
Some burns only affect the surface of the skin, while more serious burns can damage deeper tissues. Depending on the extent and location of the injury, burns may lead to pain, swelling, blistering, fluid loss, or increased risk of infection.
Following a burn, the blood supply to the damaged tissue may be affected. This can slow healing and increase the risk of complications, which can make recovery more difficult.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing high-concentration oxygen through a mask in a pressurised chamber.
This allows more oxygen to dissolve into the bloodstream and reach tissues with reduced blood supply.
Oxygen plays a key role in many normal processes within the body, including healing and recovery. By increasing oxygen availability, HBOT can support tissue repair, collagen production, new blood vessel formation, and the body’s immune responses that help manage infection.
By reducing substances in the body that drive inflammation (inflammatory cytokines), HBOT may also help to ease swelling and discomfort.
HBOT is always used in addition to standard medical treatment, not as a replacement.
When HBOT May Be Considered for Thermal Burns
Burn injuries can reduce blood flow and oxygen delivery to damaged tissues. By increasing the amount of oxygen dissolved in the bloodstream, HBOT may help support tissue repair and the body’s natural healing processes.
HBOT is sometimes considered as part of a wider care plan for people with thermal burns, particularly where there is concern about:
Significant tissue damage or swelling
Slow healing or overall tissue recovery
Infection or complications
A skin graft or flap during recovery
HBOT may support the body’s natural repair processes.
Use of HBOT for Thermal Burns
HBOT is recognised internationally as an adjunctive treatment for certain thermal burns, particularly where standard care has not achieved expected healing or where deeper burns risk progressing to non-healing wounds. Thermal burns are listed among the approved indications by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS), and the European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine (ECHM). In Ireland, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is recognised by major private health insurers for selected indications.
Acute and severe burns are managed in specialist hospital burns services. At OxyGeneration, we work with patients in the recovery and healing phase. OxyGeneration provides post-acute, post-emergency services only.
https://www.uhms.org/resources/featured-resources/hbo-indications.html
OxyGeneration provides HBOT in a calm clinical environment, delivered by a trained and experienced team.
Some clients are referred by a healthcare professional, but self-referral is also welcomed. All clients complete a screening questionnaire to check suitability. In some situations, we may ask clients to confirm suitability with their GP or medical specialist before proceeding.
For a thermal burn, a course of 20-40 sessions is typical, although the number recommended will depend on individual circumstances and response to treatment.
OxyGeneration does not provide emergency medical treatment. We do not diagnose or manage medical conditions, and HBOT is not a replacement for standard medical care. Clients remain under the supervision of their GP or consultant for the management of their condition. As with all treatments, outcomes can vary from person to person.
If you would like to find out more about HBOT and whether it might be appropriate for you, please contact our team for more information.
What to Expect at OxyGeneration
Important Information
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not suitable for everyone.
Please visit our Suitability page for further information.
Testimonial
“I have radiation burns from the radiation therapy I had for the last two years. Thankfully, for the last fortnight, it eased up and at one stage more or less ceased. My symptoms have stopped since starting to have sessions at OxyGeneration. It is a big relief as I have a few more issues to be solved but that was a big part of it.”
— Anon
Do You Have Any Questions?
For more information or support, please contact OxyGeneration at 091 394444.
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