Presbyterian Healthcare 
Hyperbaric Medicine
Treatment Preparation
| In preparing for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, there are some key things to remember like the importance of smoking cessation, reporting cold or flu-like symptoms and refraining from the use of cosmetics and lotions. |
Do's and Don'ts
Because some medications are not compatible with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, our team of physicians will obtain a complete drug history from each patient. All drugs being taken by patients will be considered individually in relation to their therapy. Should changes be necessary in their medication schedule, the referring physician will be advised.
Feel a Cold Coming On?
It is important that patients notify the HBO staff if they have a fever, cough, sore throat, running nose, fever blister, cold sore, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or body aches. Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment may need to be rescheduled depending on the severity of symptoms and when they subside.
Smoking
Nicotine is incompatible with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Once treatments have been prescribed, patients must stop smoking. This "no smoking" rule applies to cigarettes, pipe tobacco, cigars and snuff. If a patient cannot stop smoking, the therapy treatments will have to be stopped.
Some Safety Precautions
Because the chamber uses 100 percent oxygen under pressure, certain guidelines must be followed to prevent any possible fire hazards. Patients may find these guidelines inconvenient, but they are essential for the safety of everyone:
- Do not apply any make-up, hair spray, nail polish, perfume, deodorant, shaving lotion, petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) or alcohol-base products before treatments.
- With the exception of petroleum jelly, patients may apply these products after treatment, buy they must be completely removed before the next treatment.
- Do not apply Alpha Keri lotion or bath oil to skin during the course of therapy. A non-greasy lotion such as Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion may be applied after treatments for skin care.
- Patients should discuss the use of any skin care products with the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy team for safety reasons before treatments begin.
- Patients must wear a 100 percent cotton gown during treatments. This will be furnished by the hospital. No articles containing nylon or polyester are to be worn in the chamber.
- Please do not bring valuable items to the treatment. No jewelry can be worn during treatment. Also, patients will be asked to remove dentures before entering the chamber.
