How Hyperbaric Oxygen Treats Burns

When an unexpected injury occurs, knowing where to turn can make a difficult situation much easier to navigate. That is especially true when it comes to burn injuries, which can be both painful and dangerous to your overall health. 

At Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC, in McAllen, Rio Grande City, and Raymondville, Texas, we’re proud to offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy for serious burn injuries. 

Under the care of John Hovorka, MD, Cynthia Salinas, MD, and our expert team, this therapy can get you started on a path toward pain relief and proper healing as quickly as possible. 

Why are burn injuries so dangerous?

A mild burn, like a scald or sunburn, usually isn’t a cause for major concern. Your body can adapt to these small thermal injuries with ease, restoring healthy skin in a matter of days. But a more serious burn that extends into the deeper layers of tissue can be a very serious matter. 

When a burn extends into the deeper layers of your skin, it poses a serious risk of infection. Your skin serves as a barrier between the environment and your internal organs and blood. Once that barrier is broken, infection can quickly set in. 

Burns can also be incredibly painful. Your body can manage pain, but when pain lingers for long periods of time it can strain your body and mind. 

Scarring is also an issue with serious burns. While some degree of scarring is to be expected, burns that don’t heal properly or swiftly tend to have larger, more irregular scarring. 

How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy treat burns?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy works by flooding your body with pure oxygen. This triggers a number of changes that support healing. To begin, the influx of so much oxygen begins to reduce swelling almost instantly. Less swelling means less potential tissue death. 

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy stops harmful bacteria from taking hold within the damaged tissue, too. In addition, the high concentration of oxygen also enhances the ability of your white blood cells to identify and destroy potential pathogens. 

Another benefit of a strong influx of pure oxygen is the ability to maintain optimal blood flow. This reduces the risk of damage based on lack of oxygen. 

Finally, hyperbaric oxygen therapy prompts your body to create new collagen and skin cells. This hastens wound healing and helps minimize scarring. 

What to expect from hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions

Hyperbaric oxygen treatments are simple and straightforward. When you come in for your treatment sessions, you’ll relax on a comfortable table that slides into the hyperbaric chamber. Once inside, the chamber door is closed and oxygen begins flowing into the area. 

During your sessions, which can range from 45 minutes to two hours, depending on your needs, you can relax, read, or even nap. If you have claustrophobia, let us know in advance; we can recommend ways to help make hyperbaric oxygen therapy more comfortable. 

For more information about how hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help your burn heal faster and more effectively, contact Laser Surgical Solutions, RGV, PLLC. Call or click online to schedule a visit at your nearest office in McAllen, Rio Grande City, or Raymondville, Texas, today.