Treating wounds such as burns, infections and chemical exposure has come a long way. Instead of the traditional antibiotics, skin graphs and multiple surgeries, the use of hyperbaric chambers are becoming more and more common.
Oxygen Therapy
When you think of hyperbaric chambers, many people imagine a huge device that looks like it should be in a science fiction novel or movie and not a hospital, but newer, more efficient chambers actually look much like a giant plastic bag. The chamber itself is airtight, and hoses pump pure oxygen into the bag that surrounds the affected area on the patient. The numobag, as it is called, is very thin and disposable and usually covers about three quarters of the human body, leaving the head and shoulders outside the bag so the patient is able to breathe properly. Once the bag is fitted over the body, it is taped securely around the patient to prevent any air from escaping. Maintaining the bag at the correct inflation is vital; an improperly inflated could actually end up making the skin condition worse. The pure oxygen environment helps cells heal quicker and become much stronger than before. The chamber also allows the skin to heal without any scarring, resulting in much better-looking skin.
Chambers and Conditions
Along with the numobag, there are chambers that completely encapsulate the body and head of the patient. When these are used, a special oxygen helmet must be worn so the patient can breathe. There are also hyperbaric chambers that are big enough to walk around in as it's possible that around-the-clock nursing or physician care may be needed in extreme cases. Conditions that are currently being treated with hyperbaric chambers include burns, embolisms, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, gangrene, decompression sickness, necrosis, skin grafts and blood loss.
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