Science-based oxygen therapy that helps your immune system work to achieve better results
Written by
Angel Rigueras
Pain Management Specialist
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Written by
Angel Rigueras
Pain Management Specialist
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Most infections improve with antibiotics plus standard wound care or surgery. The infections that become dangerous or difficult to clear tend to share one problem: the tissue environment is low in oxygen. This happens with severe swelling, crushed tissue, poor circulation, diabetes related vessel disease, or infections that spread through deep layers. In low oxygen tissue, antibiotics penetrate less effectively, and immune cells do not perform at their best.
That is where HBOT can add value as an evidence based adjunct for selected severe infections. It does not replace antibiotics or surgery. Instead, it targets the physiologic barrier that standard treatment cannot fully fix quickly: tissue hypoxia. By increasing dissolved oxygen in the blood and raising oxygen delivery to stressed areas, HBOT can:
Want to know if HBOT is for you?
NSTI are fast moving infections that can destroy skin and soft tissue and become life threatening. What makes them dangerous is not only the bacteria, but the speed of tissue injury. Standard care is always emergency surgery plus broad spectrum antibiotics and intensive monitoring. HBOT is used as an adjunct in selected cases because higher oxygen delivery can help support immune defenses, reduce the oxygen starvation that allows certain organisms to thrive, and support tissue recovery around the infected area.
Want to know if HBOT is for you?
Gas gangrene is a rare but urgent infection caused by bacteria that thrive in low oxygen environments. It requires urgent surgical care and antibiotics. HBOT may help as part of emergency management by increasing oxygen in tissues, which can limit anaerobic bacterial activity and support the survival of threatened tissue alongside definitive care.
Osteomyelitis is an infection in bone, and it can be difficult to clear because bone has limited blood supply and bacteria can persist in damaged tissue. Treatment often includes prolonged antibiotics and sometimes surgical debridement. HBOT may be considered when infection is refractory (not responding as expected) because improved oxygen delivery can support antimicrobial activity and help create a better environment for bone and soft tissue healing. In practical terms, it can be used to support the plan when standard treatment is not enough.
Want to know if HBOT is for you?
Some serious infections start in wounds that are not healing well, especially when circulation is reduced. These cases often require coordinated care including wound management, infection control, and sometimes surgery. HBOT helps by improving oxygen delivery to stressed tissue, which supports the healing environment and can help the body respond more effectively to infection management.
Want to know if HBOT is for you?
We also treat urgent conditions where HBOT is commonly used to rapidly restore oxygen delivery, and prompt evaluation is essential.
Carbon monoxide is an invisible gas that blocks the body’s ability to use oxygen. Even after the exposure ends, patients can have ongoing neurologic symptoms. HBOT may help by rapidly increasing oxygen delivery and speeding the removal of carbon monoxide from the body. If carbon monoxide exposure is suspected, it is an emergency.
These conditions involve gas bubbles affecting circulation and organs. HBOT is commonly used to shrink bubbles and restore oxygen delivery. If symptoms occur after diving, certain medical procedures, or sudden neurologic symptoms with suspected air embolism, urgent evaluation is required.
When HBOT is used appropriately for serious infections, goals often include:
We encourage our patients to explore UIC’s Infusion Therapies for coordinated IV treatment support, and UIC’s Wound Care and Recovery options to learn more about our services.
Want to know if HBOT is for you?
You may be a candidate to consider HBOT as part of infection care if:
Want to know if HBOT is for you?
Ready for a clear plan? Call (866) 961-1744 to schedule a consultation, or contact us to request an evaluation. We will review your symptoms, timeline, and goals, then explain whether HBOT will be of benefit for your case and what a realistic treatment plan could look like.
