Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Healing Burn Wounds

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Can It Help Heal Burn Wounds?

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore the potential of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in treating burn wounds, including napalm burns, and its effects on the body's immune response and healing process."

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is emerging as a valuable treatment for a variety of conditions, with recent studies highlighting its potential in wound care. HBOT involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which can significantly increase the amount of oxygen in the blood. This enhanced oxygen delivery can accelerate the healing of various injuries, including severe burns.

Traditionally, HBOT has been recognized for its effectiveness in treating carbon monoxide poisoning, gas gangrene, and decompression sickness. However, ongoing research suggests broader applications, particularly in cases of purulent infections, peripheral arterial disease, and even in sensitizing tumors to radiotherapy. The encouraging results in treating burns, including those from electric shocks, have spurred further investigation into its mechanisms and benefits.

Motivated by a lack of direct observations and prior research on the systemic immunological effects of hyperbaric oxygenation, a team of researchers conducted initial studies on animals with induced burns. Their goal was to observe how HBOT influences certain serological reactions, providing a foundation for understanding its therapeutic potential in burn treatment.

How Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Support Burn Healing?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Healing Burn Wounds

A study was conducted involving rabbits that were immunised with S. typhi phage F7 microorganisms and then subjected to napalm burns. The rabbits were divided into two groups: a test group treated with HBOT and a control group that received no HBOT treatment. The HBOT group underwent a series of treatment sessions involving 100% oxygen at a pressure of 2 atmospheres (ATA).

Throughout the experiment, researchers monitored several key indicators: Complement Activity: Six repeated tests were performed to measure complement activity using the 50% hemolysis method. This assessed the immune system's ability to clear pathogens and damaged cells. Hemagglutination Reaction: The quantification of hemagglutination reactions with antigens O and H of S. typhi phage F7 was conducted to evaluate the antibody response. Histopathological Exams: Burn wound biopsies were analyzed to track the healing process at a cellular level in both groups.

The study revealed that complement activity increased in all tested animals, but this increase occurred later in the HBOT group. Histopathological examinations confirmed that the HBOT group experienced a more advanced healing process compared to the control group. This suggests that HBOT supports and accelerates the body's natural mechanisms for wound repair.

The Future of Burn Treatment

While these initial findings are promising, further research is needed to fully validate the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in treating burn wounds. The study provides a foundation for future investigations with larger sample sizes and a broader range of serological tests. By continuing to explore the potential of HBOT, medical professionals can potentially enhance treatment strategies and improve outcomes for burn patients.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1515/phr-2015-0005, Alternate LINK

Title: Initial Tests On Selected Serological Reactions In Rabbits Burnt With Napalm And Subjected To Hyperbaric Oxygenation

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Polish Hyperbaric Research

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH

Authors: Kazimierz Ulewicz, Przemysław Michniewski, Brunon Kierznikowicz, Bogdan Łokucijewski, Jan Stencel

Published: 2015-03-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, and why is it being explored for treating burn wounds?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves breathing 100% oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. This increases the amount of oxygen in the blood, which can accelerate the healing of injuries, including severe burns. The significance of HBOT lies in its potential to enhance the body's natural healing mechanisms and improve outcomes for burn patients.

What does 'complement activity' measure, and why is it important in understanding burn treatment?

Complement activity refers to the immune system's ability to clear pathogens and damaged cells. In the context of burn treatment, monitoring complement activity is crucial because it indicates how effectively the body is fighting infection and clearing debris from the wound site. Changes in complement activity, as observed in studies using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, can provide insights into the therapy's impact on the immune response during wound healing.

What is a hemagglutination reaction, and what does it tell us about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy's impact on burn wounds?

The hemagglutination reaction is a method used to evaluate the antibody response to specific antigens. In the context of studying the effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) on burn wounds, quantifying hemagglutination reactions with antigens helps researchers understand how HBOT influences the body's immune response. This is significant because a stronger antibody response can lead to better protection against infection and improved wound healing.

What are histopathological exams, and how do they help us understand the effectiveness of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in treating burns?

Histopathological exams involve analyzing tissue samples at a cellular level to track the healing process. In burn treatment, these exams are crucial for assessing the effectiveness of treatments like Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). By examining burn wound biopsies, researchers can observe cellular changes, such as inflammation and tissue regeneration, to determine how HBOT supports and accelerates wound repair.

Besides burn wounds, what other conditions might benefit from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, and what does this suggest about its potential?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has traditionally been used for conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning, gas gangrene, and decompression sickness. Its application in treating burn wounds, including those from electric shocks and napalm, suggests a broader range of uses. Furthermore, its potential in treating purulent infections, peripheral arterial disease, and even sensitizing tumors to radiotherapy indicates that HBOT could revolutionize medical treatments beyond its traditional applications.