As summer arrives, so too does barbecue season and more time spent working and socialising outside. While these moments are part of everyday life across Ireland, especially in farming and agricultural communities, they also bring a higher risk of sunburn and burns from hot surfaces, flames, machinery or chemical exposure.
What many people don’t realise is that burns can be more serious than they first appear. Surrounding the visible injury is an area of tissue called the zone of stasis. Here, blood flow is reduced, inflammation (swelling ) develops, and oxygen levels fall. Within hours, this area can worsen, causing the injury to deepen if not carefully managed.
Tissues need a good supply of oxygen to survive and repair. When oxygen levels are low, healing slows, and more tissue may die. For more significant burns, particularly second- and third-degree injuries, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT ) can be used in addition to standard burns care.
HBOT works by delivering high-concentration oxygen in a pressurised chamber to help more oxygen dissolve in the bloodstream and reach damaged tissues. This can reduce swelling, limit worsening of the burn, and support healing with cell growth and repair. Clinical evidence also shows that the appropriate use of HBOT may reduce hospital stays, improve skin graft success, and decrease the need for surgical treatments.
It’s important to remember that serious burns always require urgent medical attention. HBOT is used alongside specialist burns treatment, not instead of it.
At OxyGeneration, HBOT is delivered in collaboration with burns units and plastic surgery teams, supporting clients through recovery.
If you or a loved one experiences a significant burn, seek immediate medical care. For support during recovery, contact OxyGeneration in Galway on 091 394 444 or visit www.oxygeneration.com
