CO₂ Therapy Speeds Up Wound Healing
What Is Required for a Wound to Heal?
For a wound to close, several conditions must align: circulation must bring oxygen and nutrients, the inflammatory response must be balanced, new capillaries and collagen must grow to rebuild tissue, and the wound environment must be favorable. When any of these are disrupted—most often through poor blood flow and lack of oxygen—healing stalls. CO₂ therapy addresses each of these barriers, creating conditions where healing can take place.
Why CO₂ Helps
CO₂ is far more than a waste gas. When applied directly to skin or tissue, it relaxes blood vessels, improves microcirculation, and shifts hemoglobin to release more oxygen — the Bohr effect in action. Researchers describe this as giving starved tissues “a second chance” to receive the oxygen they desperately need. As one clinical team in Siena, Italy, wrote after treating 70 patients with chronic ulcers: “The increase in transcutaneous oxygen pressure was almost double after CO₂ therapy… ulcers healed faster, more completely, and with no adverse effects.” [ref1]
Remarkable Results On Diabetic Ulcers
In diabetic foot ulcers, the results are striking. In a double-blind randomized trial, 20 out of 30 wounds treated with transcutaneous CO₂ healed completely, compared with none in the placebo group [ref2]. The authors concluded: “Complete healing was observed in two-thirds of patients, while the placebo group showed no comparable improvement.”
A 66-year-old male with diabetes, PAD, and Charcot arthropathy had a persisting wound for 6 months (A). The wound was completely healed in 4 weeks with transcutaneous application of CO2 (B)
Another prospective study of 40 severe diabetic ulcers treated with subcutaneous CO₂ injections showed similarly dramatic results: not a single amputation was required, 31 patients healed fully, and the remaining nine improved significantly [ref3]. These findings highlight CO₂ as a safe and effective way to reverse even advanced cases of diabetic wounds.
At Nagoya University, researchers followed 59 diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia after vascular surgery. Those given daily CO₂-enriched foot baths had far superior outcomes: 97% remained free from ulcer progression compared with 78% in controls, and no amputations occurred in the CO₂ group [ref4, ref5, ref6]. The researchers concluded that CO₂ immersion effectively prevents ulcer deterioration by restoring microcirculation.
At Nagoya Kyoritsu Hospital, over 200 patients with impaired circulation have been successfully treated in this way. One case was a 48-year-old woman on dialysis for nine years. She arrived with open sores on her feet and was confined to a wheelchair. She was scheduled for amputation. Instead, she received CO₂ foot baths twice daily, 10 minutes each time. After one month, her pain and wounds had diminished enough to cancel the operation. After three months, her ulcers had nearly healed, and she was discharged — walking unaided [ref7].
48-year-old woman on dialysis for nine years. Bound to a wheelchair.
Here is another example.
69-year-old woman on dialysis for 19 years. Bound to a wheelchair.
Functional and Cosmetic Recovery After Heat Press Injury
One of the most remarkable modern demonstrations of CO₂’s healing potential comes from a case report in Scars, Burns & Healing (2023) [ref8]. A 46-year-old man’s right hand was crushed in a 180 °C fabric press for 30 seconds. The palmar skin was severely damaged, indurated, and finger movement was almost impossible.
From the day after the injury, doctors prescribed daily 15-minute hand baths in highly concentrated CO₂ water, 1,000-1,300 ppm, at 37 °C. Remarkably, anesthesia was not needed — necrotic tissue could be gently removed during bathing, while rehabilitation exercises were started simultaneously.
Within four weeks, all necrotic tissue had been eliminated, and a healthy, well-vascularized granulation bed had formed. This allowed surgeons to successfully graft plantar skin onto the palm (a “domino graft” technique). One year later, the outcome was extraordinary:
- The grafted skin showed excellent color, texture, and extensibility.
- The patient’s hand function was fully restored, without residual contracture or disability.
- He returned to work within four months of the accident.
As the authors noted: “Highly concentrated carbon dioxide bathing reliably eliminated necrotic tissue and established a graft bed with good blood flow… The patient achieved excellent functional recovery.”
Initial hand: severely indurated palm with limited finger movement.
Daily CO₂ bathing, 15 minutes per day at 1,000 – 1,300 ppm, gradually eliminated necrotic tissue.
Four weeks later: strong granulation tissue enabled a plantar skin graft.
One year later: palm fully healed, normal skin texture and function restored.
Preventing Scarring and Promoting Muscle Regeneration
While wound healing is often hindered by scar formation and chronic inflammation, new research shows that CO₂ can actively reduce fibrosis and accelerate true tissue repair.
A 2023 study from Kobe University applied a CO₂ paste to rats with muscle injury. Half of the animals received no treatment, while the other half had daily CO₂ applications to the injured site [ref9].
The results were striking:
- Inflammation was suppressed. Key inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly lower in the CO₂ group at all measured time points.
- Scarring was prevented. Expression of TGF-β — one of the strongest fibrosis-promoting molecules — was reduced in the later phase of healing, which correlated with visibly less scar tissue.
- Muscle regeneration accelerated. By day 21, the cross-sectional muscle area in CO₂-treated animals was 2.5 times larger than in controls, with healthy fibers replacing scar tissue.
The authors concluded: “Our study demonstrates that the CO₂ paste prevents excessive scarring and accelerates muscle regeneration… The CO₂ paste is inexpensive, non-invasive, and may be the treatment of choice for patients with muscle damage.”
The image shows side-by-side tissue sections where CO₂ application leads to robust muscle regeneration compared to control.
Powerful quantitative visual showing a 2.5× increase in muscle size by day 21 with CO₂.
Together, these images convey both the microscopic detail and the big-picture result: faster recovery, less scarring, and stronger tissue.
In another study, on 27 rats with tibialis anterior muscle damage, the authors concluded "Injured muscle fibres were completely repaired at week six in the CO2-treated group but only partially repaired in the untreated group." [ref10]
A Case from History: Ulcerated Breast Cancer
The healing power of CO₂ has been recognized since the Greeks and Romans more than 2,000 years ago. One of the earliest documented medical applications came in 1794, when Dr. John Ewart of the Bath City Infirmary in the UK applied CO₂ gas directly to ulcerated breast cancers using a bladder device he designed.
Patients reported immediate pain relief, and wounds began to close. Dr. Ewart noted:
“One woman, who had an open ulcer on her breast for six years, measuring 13 × 10 × 6 cm, had less than a third remaining after 28 days… What strikes us, with the greatest astonishment, is the almost instantaneous relief of pain, which never failed to follow the application of the CO₂ gas.” [ref11]
This case demonstrates that even in the 18th century, physicians were already observing CO₂’s ability to reduce pain, accelerate wound healing, and restore quality of life in conditions considered otherwise untreatable.
Real-Life Modern Examples
Dr. Homayun Gharavi recently shared the case of a patient who had suffered from severe chronic hand inflammation for five years. After immersing his hands in carbonated water for 30 minutes, 2-3 times per day, the improvement was rapid: “Within two weeks, the scaling and pain had almost completely resolved. I'm speechless!”
In addition to clinical cases, CO₂ therapy is increasingly being used by athletes to accelerate recovery and enhance performance.
One example comes from professional baseball. Luke Weaver, pitcher for the New York Yankees, suffered a hamstring strain. The MRI scan confirmed that it would require six weeks of rehabilitation. With the help of the CarboHaler CO₂ Inhaler and the Cardisuit CO₂ Bath — he was able to return to play in just 15 days.
His performance coach, Andy Clower, explains:
“Starting and ending the days with CO₂ therapies was, without a doubt, a huge contributor in Luke's return-to-play time — from a projected six weeks to just fifteen days, feeling and performing better than before his injury.”
His story highlights how CO₂ tolerance training and therapy are moving beyond the clinic into professional sports, where they are helping athletes gain a competitive edge. Read Luke Weaver’s full testimonial here.
Safe, Simple, and Accessible
Unlike hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which requires expensive equipment, CO₂ therapy is inexpensive, portable, and safe. Across clinical studies, no major side effects have been reported [ref2, ref3]. Treatments can be delivered as foot baths, topical pastes, full body baths, inhalation, or small injections — making them accessible in both clinics and at home.
For a wound to heal, circulation, oxygen, and a balanced environment are essential. CO₂ therapy directly addresses these needs by improving blood flow, enhancing oxygen delivery, calming inflammation, and stimulating tissue regeneration. The result is faster healing, fewer amputations, and restored quality of life. As evidence continues to grow, CO₂ therapy may soon take its place as a cornerstone of wound management [ref12].
References
Title: The role of carbon dioxide therapy in the treatment of chronic wounds
Authors: Brandi C, Grimaldi L, Nisi G, Brafa A, Campa A, Calabrò M, Campana M, D'Aniello C.
Journal: In Vivo. 2010 Mar-Apr;24(2):223-6. PMID: 20363999.
Link to full text: The role of carbon dioxide therapy in the treatment of chronic wounds 
Abstract: A wound is defined as chronic when it does not heal according to the normal repair times and mechanisms. This particular condition may be principally due to local hypoxia. Carbon dioxide (CO2) therapy refers to the transcutaneous or subcutaneous administration of CO2 for therapeutical effects on both microcirculation and tissue oxygenation. In this study, we report the clinical and instrumental results of the application of CO2 in the therapy of chronic wounds. The study included 70 patients affected by chronic ulcers. The patients were selected by aetiology and wound extension and equally divided into two homogeneous groups. In group A, CO2 therapy was used in addition to the routine methods of treatment for such lesions (surgical and/or chemical debridement, advanced dressings according to the features of each lesion). In group B, patients were treated using routine methods alone. Both groups underwent to instrumental (laser doppler flow, measurement of TcPO2, clinical and photographic evaluation. In the group that underwent subcutaneous treatment with CO2 therapy, the results highlighted a significant increase in tissue oxygenation values, which was confirmed by greater progress of the lesions in terms of both healing and reduction of the injured area. Considering the safety, efficacy and reliability of this method, even if further studies are necessary, we believe that it is useful to include subcutaneous carbon dioxide therapy in the treatment of wounds involving hypoxia-related damage.
Title: The effect of transcutaneous application of gaseous CO2 on diabetic chronic wound healing-A double-blind randomized clinical trial
Authors: Macura M, Ban Frangez H, Cankar K, Finžgar M, Frangez I.
Journal: Int Wound J. 2020 Dec;17(6):1607-1614. doi: 10.1111/iwj.13436. Epub 2020 Jul 7. PMID: 32633896; PMCID: PMC7949258.
Link to full text: The effect of transcutaneous application of gaseous CO2 on diabetic chronic wound healing-A double-blind randomized clinical trial
Abstract: Chronic wounds in diabetics are difficult to treat, therefore, adjuvant therapies have been investigated. Bathing in CO2 -rich water (spa therapy) has been known in Europe for decades for its positive effect on peripheral vascular disorders. Recently, much effort has been invested in developing optimal application methods of CO2 . Uses include subcutaneous injections of CO2 , bathing in CO2 -enriched water, and transcutaneous application of CO2 . To verify the effect of transcutaneous application of gaseous CO2 on the healing of chronic diabetic wounds, a randomized double-blind clinical research was designed. The research included 30 and 27 wounds in the study and control groups, respectively. In addition to standard treatment, patients in the study group received 20 therapies with medical-grade CO2 gas and the control group received the same treatment with air. Results showed significantly faster healing in the study group: 20 of the 30 wounds in the study group were healed compared with none in the control group. Mean wound surface and volume in the study group was reduced significantly (surface: 96%, P = .001, volume: 99%, P = .003) compared with a small reduction in the control group (surface: 25%, P = .383, volume: 27%, P = .178). Considering our results, transcutaneous application of gaseous CO2 is an effective adjuvant therapy in diabetic chronic wound treatment.
Keywords: CO2 therapy; carboxy therapy; chronic wound treatment; diabetic chronic wound; diabetic foot ulcer; transcutaneous CO2 application.
Title: Clinical Prospective Study on the Use of Subcutaneous Carboxytherapy in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Authors: Khiat L, Leibaschoff GH.
Journal: Surg Technol Int. 2018 Jun 1;32:81-90. PMID: 29566422.
Link to PubMed: Clinical Prospective Study on the Use of Subcutaneous Carboxytherapy in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcer 
Abstract: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus, and possibly the major morbidity of the diabetic foot. It is the most common foot injury in diabetic patients and can lead to lower-extremity amputation. Management of DFU requires a systematic knowledge of the major risk factors for amputation, frequent routine evaluation, scrupulous preventive maintenance, and correction of peripheral arterial insufficiency. Carboxytherapy refers to the subcutaneous injection of CO2 to improve the microcirculation and promote wound-healing by stimulating the microcirculation. Since optimal ulcer-healing requires adequate tissue perfusion, it is considered that carboxytherapy could be useful in the treatment of DFU. The present prospective clinical study included 40 patients with different sizes and types of chronic DFU. In addition to cleaning of the wound, antibiotics and debridement as necessary, the treatment protocol included blood sugar control, medication, healthy habits, no weight-bearing, and carboxytherapy. The results showed that this treatment that included carboxytherapy promoted wound-healing and prevented amputation. These positive effects should be confirmed through a complete study that includes different clinical and instrumental parameters.
Title: The Effects on Skin Blood Flow of Immersing the Ischemic Legs of Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease into Artificially Carbonated Water
Authors: Makita, S., Ohira, A., Naganuma, Y., Abiko, A., & Nakamura, M.
Journal: International Journal of Angiology 15.1 (2006): 12-15.
Link to SpringerMedicine: The Effects on Skin Blood Flow of Immersing the Ischemic Legs of Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease into Artificially Carbonated Water
Abstract: It is known that carbon dioxide causes vasodilatation. Therefore, immersing the extremities into carbonated water would be expected to increase skin blood flow, given that carbon dioxide can permeate through the skin surface. We immersed the ischemic legs of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) into water artificially carbonated by a new device. Sixteen Fontaine grade II PAD patients were randomly divided into two groups: eight patients whose legs were immersed into artificially carbonated water (CO2 group), and eight patients whose legs were immersed into tap water as a control (CTL group). The water temperature was set at 35°C, and the immersion (10 min) was repeated daily for 3 weeks in both groups. During immersion, the average percent skin blood flow increase was larger in the CO2 group than in the CTL group (426 vs. 173%, p < 0.001), and increased gradually with each immersion in the CO2 group (272% at the first immersion, 343% after 2 weeks, and 359% after 3 weeks, p < 0.01). Leg symptoms at rest, such as a sensation of cold and/or numbness, were significantly alleviated in the CO2 group compared to the CTL group (2.5 points, CO2 group vs. 8.7 points, CTL group after 3-weeks based on a 10-point relative scale, p < 0.01). Immersion into artificially carbonated water appears to be a convenient treatment option for treating limb ischemia.
Title: Effect of carbon dioxide-enriched water and fresh water on the cutaneous microcirculation and oxygen tension in the skin of the foot
Authors: Hartmann BR, Bassenge E, Pittler M.
Journal: Angiology. 1997 Apr;48(4):337-43. doi: 10.1177/000331979704800406. PMID: 9112881.
Link to PubMed: Effect of carbon dioxide-enriched water and fresh water on the cutaneous microcirculation and oxygen tension in the skin of the foot
Abstract: The effects of immersion of the lower leg and foot in fresh water and in carbon dioxide (CO2)-enriched water (1200 mg CO2 per kg water; succinate+sodium bicarbonate: Actibath, KAO Tokyo) on cutaneous circulation, vasomotion and oxygen tension (PO2) were measured by laser Doppler flowmetry and transcutaneous oximetry. On the first of two consecutive days patients were randomly assigned to have the lower extremities immersed in either fresh water or CO2-enriched water under standardized conditions (temperature, 34 degrees C; depth, 35 cm; immersion time, twenty minutes) with concurrent measurement. On the second day patients were switched to the other bath type. For both sets of measurements probes were attached symmetrically to the dorsum of each foot. Included in the study were 18 patients with mild, bilateral, peripheral, occlusive arterial disease (intermittent claudication, femoral or iliac type). During immersion in CO2-enriched water the Doppler laser signal and vasomotion amplitude rose by 300%, while PO2 increased by 10%. These increases were still apparent during the latter part of the measurement period, following withdrawal of the limbs from the bath, while patients were seated and supine. During immersion in fresh water and thereafter the Doppler laser signal was unchanged and the PO2 increase was considerably less marked. The authors were thus able to demonstrate vasodilation and increased oxygen utilization (Bohr effect) resulting from topical CO2 application, and hence, that the use of topical CO2 has an objective basis.
Title: Immersing feet in carbon dioxide-enriched water prevents ulcer expansion and ulcer formation after surgical revascularization in critical limb ischemia: a preliminary trial
Authors: Toriyama T, et al.
Abstract: The current clinical consensus is that critical limb ischemia (CLI) with multi-level-disease requires adjunctive treatments after surgical revascularization. Adjunctive treatments should prevent postoperative problems such as amputation, ulcer exacerbation and graft occlusion. Although recent studies have focused on the effects of medication a number of alternatives including spinal cord stimulation, hyperbaric therapy, and an intra-muscular injection of autologous bone-marrow mononuclear cells,6 which may be also beneficial in revascularized CLI. However, the efficacy as adjunctive treatments for revascularized CLI remains unclear. In 1997, Hartmann et al. reported that immersion in water enriched with carbon dioxide had positive microcirculatory effects. In 2002, we demonstrated that CO2 immersion increased the blood flow of feet to the much higher extent than the plain water, and it improved the limb salvage rate in CLI patients without revascularization option.
Title: Two cases of arteriosclerosis obliterans (Fontaine stage IV) with total occlusion of below knee vessels, for which CO2 foot bath therapy was found to be effective.
Authors: Toriyama T, et al.
Link to full text: Two cases of arteriosclerosis obliterans (Fontaine stage IV) with total occlusion of below knee vessels, for which CO2 foot bath therapy was found to be effective.
Abstract: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for stenosis in arteries of the lower extremities is one effective treatment for arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO). However, PTA has generally been successful only up to the level of femoropopliteal arteries (FPA). Other treatment strategies are required for stenosis of below the-knee vessels (BKV). We report here on two cases of severe ASO with total occlusion of the BKV in which remarkable effects were achieved using CO2 foot bath therapy.
Title: Functional and cosmetic reconstruction of palmar heat press injury following wound bed preparation combined with artificial highly concentrated carbon dioxide bathing: A case report
Authors: Hihara M, Takeji K, Mitsui T, Kuro A, Kakudo N.
Journal: Scars Burn Heal. 2023 Nov 16;9:20595131231213705. doi: 10.1177/20595131231213705. PMID: 38022895; PMCID: PMC10656804.
Abstract: Background: The effect of artificial highly concentrated carbon dioxide bathing on heat-press-injured wounds has been clinically observed.
Case presentation: A 46-year-old male patient with a heat press injury of the right palmar region achieved complete necrotic tissue removal and sufficient granulation of the skin graft by continuous hand bathing in a solution containing highly concentrated carbon dioxide for four weeks. The patient successfully underwent a full-thickness skin graft from the plantar to the palmar region, and his right-hand function improved to the extent that it did not interfere with daily life.
Conclusions: Heat press injuries are often refractory to treatment owing to the synergistic effects of heat and crush injuries. Highly concentrated carbon dioxide bathing has long been known to increase skin and muscle blood flow, and its clinical applications in ischemic limbs, skin ulcers, and osteomyelitis have already been reported. In this case, the results suggest an effect of improved blood flow leading to maturation of the graft bed at the heat-press injury site.
Lay summary: Highly concentrated carbon dioxide bathing is not only clinically applicable to ischemic extremities, skin ulcers, and osteomyelitis, due to increased cutaneous and muscular blood flow, but also to the reliable debridement of heat press injury wounds and the granulation of graft beds. We successfully used this novel combination of procedures to establish a graft bed with a good blood flow despite the deep heat press injury occurring in the palmar region, leading to an excellent functional recovery. The cost per procedure is low, at about $1(USD), making it a wound care option that should be considered from a healthcare economic perspective.
Keywords: Carbon dioxide bathing; eschar debridement; hand burn; heat press injury; wound bed preparation.
Title: Local application of a transcutaneous carbon dioxide paste prevents excessive scarring and promotes muscle regeneration in a bupivacaine-induced rat model of muscle injury
Authors: Hirota J, Hasegawa T, Inui A, Takeda D, Amano-Iga R, Yatagai N, Saito I, Arimoto S, Akashi M.
Journal: Int Wound J. 2023 Apr;20(4):1151-1159. doi: 10.1111/iwj.13974. Epub 2022 Oct 17. PMID: 36250918; PMCID: PMC10031219.
Link to full text: Local application of a transcutaneous carbon dioxide paste prevents excessive scarring and promotes muscle regeneration in a bupivacaine-induced rat model of muscle injury
Abstract: In postoperative patients with head and neck cancer, scar tissue formation may interfere with the healing process, resulting in incomplete functional recovery and a reduced quality of life. Percutaneous application of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) has been reported to improve hypoxia, stimulate angiogenesis, and promote fracture repair and muscle damage. However, gaseous CO2 cannot be applied to the head and neck regions. Previously, we developed a paste that holds non-gaseous CO2 in a carrier and can be administered transdermally. Here, we investigated whether this paste could prevent excessive scarring and promote muscle regeneration using a bupivacaine-induced rat model of muscle injury. Forty-eight Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to either a control group or a CO2 group. Both groups underwent surgery to induce muscle injury, but the control group received no treatment, whereas the CO2 group received the CO2 paste daily after surgery. Then, samples of the experimental sites were taken on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 post-surgery to examine the following: (1) inflammatory (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and myogenic (MyoD and myogenin) gene expression by polymerase chain reaction, (2) muscle regeneration with haematoxylin and eosin staining, and (3) MyoD and myogenin protein expression using immunohistochemical staining. Rats in the CO2 group showed higher MyoD and myogenin expression and lower IL-1β, IL-6, and TGF-β expression than the control rats. In addition, treated rats showed evidence of accelerated muscle regeneration. Our study demonstrated that the CO2 paste prevents excessive scarring and accelerates muscle regeneration. This action may be exerted through the induction of an artificial Bohr effect, which leads to the upregulation of MyoD and myogenin, and the downregulation of IL-1β, IL-6, and TGF-β. The paste is inexpensive and non-invasive. Thus, it may be the treatment of choice for patients with muscle damage.
Keywords: hypoxia; inflammation; scar; transcutaneous CO2; wound healing.
Title: Transcutaneous carbon dioxide application accelerates muscle injury repair in rat models
Authors: Akahane S, Sakai Y, Ueha T, Nishimoto H, Inoue M, Niikura T, Kuroda R.
Journal: Int Orthop. 2017 May;41(5):1007-1015. doi: 10.1007/s00264-017-3417-2. Epub 2017 Feb 16. PMID: 28210805.
Link to PubMed: Transcutaneous carbon dioxide application accelerates muscle injury repair in rat models
Abstract: Purpose: Skeletal muscle injuries are commonly observed in sports and traumatology medicine. Previously, we demonstrated that transcutaneous application of carbon dioxide (CO2) to lower limbs increased the number of muscle mitochondria and promoted muscle endurance. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether transcutaneous CO2 application could enhance recovery from muscle injury.
Methods: Tibialis anterior muscle damage was induced in 27 Sprague Dawley rats via intramuscular injection of bupivacaine. After muscle injury, rats were randomly assigned to transcutaneous CO2-treated or -untreated groups. From each group, three rats were sacrificed at weeks one, two, four and six. At each time point, histology and immunofluorescence analyses were performed, and changes in muscle weight, muscle weight/body weight ratio, muscle fibre circumference, gene expression levels and capillary density were measured.
Results: Injured muscle fibres were completely repaired at week six in the CO2-treated group but only partially repaired in the untreated group. The repair of basement and plasma membranes did not differ significantly between groups. However, expression levels of genes and proteins related to muscle protein synthesis were significantly higher in the CO2-treated group and significantly more capillaries four weeks after injury.
Conclusion: Transcutaneous CO2 application can accelerate recovery after muscle injury in rats.
Keywords: Capillary density; Muscle injury; Transcutaneous CO2.
Title of the Book: Two Cases of Ulcerated Breast Cancer Treated with CO₂
Authors: Dr. John Ewart
Republished by: Conscious Breathing Institute
Link to buy: Two Cases of Ulcerated Breast Cancer Treated with CO₂
Title: A Novel Bathing Therapeutic Approach for Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Authors: Tappia, Paramjit S., et al.
Journal: Applied Sciences 11.18 (2021): 8402.
Link to full text: A Novel Bathing Therapeutic Approach for Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Abstract: Ineffective healing and treatment of foot ulcers can lead to an infection and gangrene of the wound area that ultimately results in the loss of the limb. The incidence of foot ulcers is higher in patients with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease and kidney disease. Accordingly, this study was undertaken to assess the ability of foot bathing in CO2-enriched water to heal foot ulcers. The design was a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Patients with at least one foot ulcer were randomized to receive either a treatment with bath therapy at 37 ± 0.5 °C containing either 1000–1200 ppm CO2-enriched tap water (the intervention) or non-carbonated tap water at 37 ± 0.5 °C (the control group). Treatment was conducted three times/week for 15 min per session for up to 16 weeks for a total of 48 treatment sessions. Before and at the end of every treatment month, wound size, wound area oxygenation and the ankle brachial index were measured. In addition, the McGill pain questionnaire was conducted. Blood was also collected at these time points (for a total of five collections) for the measurement of different biomarkers. While no significant differences (p < 0.05) in the group/time interaction effect were observed, a clear separation within the wound area reduction/wound area/oxygenated Hb outcomes was seen between placebo (control) and treatment (CO2) group. This pilot study is suggestive that bathing in CO2-enriched water may accelerate the healing of foot ulcers.
Keywords: foot ulcer; CO2-enriched water; foot-bathing therapy
