Acute Thermal Burns
Many burn units either have their own hyperbaric chambers or work closely with a hyperbaric facility. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) has approved hyperbaric oxygen therapy for acute thermal burns. There is no doubt as to the effectiveness of this treatment for burns. If the treatment is administered within the first 12-24 hours post injury, much of the tissue can be retained otherwise rapid necrosis occurs from a loss of blood flow and leads to further tissue damage and greater risk of infection. HBOT is known to facilitate tissue regeneration and decrease the chance of infection both directly and by increasing the effectiveness of antibiotics. For these reasons and more, there is lower chance of scarring when HBOT is used in combination with standard treatment for acute thermal burns. 

Biofilms in Thermal Burns

It has been reported by Wolcott et al. that thermal burns have a biofilm component. Biofilm is a form that multi-kingdom bacteria can take in the body, that are strongly antibiotic and immune resistant. It is believed that the chronicity of many infections can be attributed to this bacterial form. HBOT has been shown to be a effective potentiator of antibiotics in many biofilm infections, it remains to be seen if HBOT has a direct anti-biofilm effect. For more information visit our biofilm page. 

How can Oceanside Hyperbaric help with burns?

Burns come in a wide array of severity and in the location of the body affected. If your burn requires emergency medical attention, go to your nearest hospital or emergency medical clinic. If you live on Vancouver Island, and your burn is severe enough to require hospitalization you may need to be transferred to the only hospital based hyperbaric chamber in British Columbia at Vancouver General Hospital. If you are released from hospital you may want to pursue HBOT at a private facility. If you experience any burns to the facial area, or other cosmetically sensitive areas, you may want to limit the damage and improve your prospects of recovery immediately after visiting a hospital or emergency clinic. If a young child is burned and you are not transferred to VGH, you may consider visiting a private facility after being released from hospital.