What Not to Do Before a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Session
No alcohol, no smoking, no petroleum-based products, and bring a list of your medications. Here's the pre-treatment checklist for your first HBOT session.
What Not to Do Before a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Session
A few things can make HBOT less effective or unsafe. Most of the rules come down to two concerns: fire safety in an oxygen-rich environment, and protecting your body’s response to treatment.
Don’t Drink Alcohol That Day
Skip alcohol on treatment days. Alcohol causes blood vessel dilation and can increase the risk of low blood sugar during a session. It also affects how your body responds to high oxygen pressure.
This isn’t a “no alcohol for 48 hours” rule. Just don’t drink the same day as your session.
Don’t Smoke Within 24 Hours
Nicotine constricts blood vessels, which is the opposite of what HBOT is trying to do. If you’re treating a wound, nicotine reduces the blood flow and oxygen delivery HBOT is meant to improve.
Beyond effectiveness, smoking is a fire risk in an oxygen-enriched environment. Cigarette lighters don’t belong anywhere near a hyperbaric facility.
If you’re on a wound care protocol, your care team will likely push you to quit for the duration. That’s good medical advice.
No Petroleum-Based Products on Your Skin or Hair
This is the fire safety rule. Petroleum-based products include:
- Vaseline and petroleum jelly
- Most hair gels and pomades
- Oil-based moisturizers and body lotions
- Oil-based perfume or cologne
Oxygen-enriched environments make flammable materials much more dangerous. Most clinics require you to shower without any of these products before your session. If your skin is dry and needs moisture, many clinics provide water-based lotion.
No perfume or cologne of any kind. This goes for partners dropping patients off too — cologne doesn’t belong in the hyperbaric suite.
Don’t Take Certain Medications Without Asking
Don’t skip any medications without talking to your hyperbaric physician first. Missing your regular medications can cause more problems than the medication itself.
One medication is an absolute contraindication: disulfiram (Antabuse), used to treat alcohol use disorder. Do not take HBOT if you’re on disulfiram. Tell your physician before starting treatment.
Bring a current medication list to your first appointment. Your hyperbaric physician needs to review everything, including supplements.
Don’t Come Starving or Stuffed
Eat a light meal before your session. Coming in on an empty stomach raises hypoglycemia risk, particularly if you’re diabetic. Coming in too full can make the horizontal chamber position uncomfortable.
A light meal 1-2 hours before the session is reasonable. Your clinic may have specific guidance.
Don’t Come Sick or Congested
A head cold or significant sinus congestion makes pressurization painful. The sinuses need to equalize with the chamber pressure, and blocked passages mean they can’t. Some patients push through mild congestion fine. Others find it genuinely painful.
Tell your clinic if you woke up with congestion or started feeling ill. They’ll often reschedule you rather than put you through an uncomfortable session. One missed session won’t derail a 30-session wound care protocol.
What to Wear
Wear 100% cotton or other natural fiber clothing. Synthetic fabrics can generate static electricity in an oxygen-enriched environment. This isn’t a theoretical concern — it’s why the rule exists.
Many clinics provide cotton gowns and ask you to change. Don’t be surprised by this.
Leave the Jewelry and Electronics Outside
Leave metal jewelry at home or in your bag. Remove it before entering the chamber area. The same goes for electronics. Staff will tell you specifically what to remove.
Contact lenses: some clinics ask patients to remove them before sessions. Pressure changes can cause minor discomfort with contacts. Ask your clinic’s policy at your first appointment.
FAQ
Q: Can you wear makeup to HBOT? Most clinics restrict oil-based products. Water-based makeup is generally fine. Confirm with your clinic.
Q: Can you eat before HBOT? Yes. A light meal 1-2 hours before is good. Don’t come fasting, especially if you’re diabetic.
Q: What medications should you avoid? Disulfiram (Antabuse) is an absolute contraindication. Don’t skip other medications without asking your physician first.
Q: Why no synthetic clothing? Synthetics can generate static electricity. In an oxygen-enriched environment, that’s a fire risk.
Related: Your First HBOT Session | HBOT Contraindications | Medications and HBOT Interactions
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy must be prescribed and supervised by a licensed physician. Always consult your care team about your specific situation. This site does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.