Does Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Help Lyme Disease? What Patients Should Know
HBOT may temporarily reduce Lyme symptoms.
But it does not directly treat persistent infection.
Long-term improvement usually requires infection-focused care.
Does hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) help Lyme disease? Some patients report temporary symptom relief—but current evidence suggests it does not address the underlying infection.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is often promoted as a treatment for chronic Lyme disease when standard approaches have not led to recovery.
But in my experience, HBOT does not address the root problem—a persistent tick-borne illness.
A Clinical Perspective
One of my patients had been struggling with fatigue, pain, and brain fog for months. She asked whether a hyperbaric chamber could help her feel better.
She had read that increasing oxygen might make it harder for Borrelia to survive.
While the theory is appealing, I have consistently seen better outcomes when treatment focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying infection itself.
In her case, both Lyme disease and Babesia were present—conditions HBOT would not treat.
After targeted antimicrobial therapy, her symptoms improved.
What the Research Shows
Research on HBOT for Lyme disease remains limited.
Some small studies and anecdotal reports suggest temporary symptom relief in selected patients, but results have been inconsistent.
A case report by Huang and colleagues described HBOT as an effective adjunctive treatment in a patient with chronic Lyme disease, though the therapy was used as supportive care rather than a cure.
Borrelia may be sensitive to oxygen, yet the clinical effects of HBOT on persistent infection remain poorly understood.
HBOT also does not directly treat co-infections such as Babesia or Bartonella.
No large clinical trials have demonstrated sustained long-term benefit in Lyme disease patients.
Why Hyperbaric Therapy Falls Short
Lyme disease is often more complex than a single infection.
Persistent symptoms may involve ongoing infection, co-infections, immune dysregulation, autonomic dysfunction, or inflammatory changes that are not corrected by oxygen therapy alone.
This is why some patients may feel temporarily better—but later relapse.
In my experience, patients improve more consistently when persistent infections and co-infections are identified and treated directly.
Cost and Practical Considerations
HBOT is often expensive, time-intensive, and not covered by many insurance plans.
Most patients require multiple sessions, and responses vary significantly between individuals.
For many patients, this becomes a substantial investment with uncertain long-term benefit.
What I Do in My Practice
I evaluate patients for persistent Lyme disease and co-infections such as Babesia or Bartonella.
Treatment decisions are based on clinical symptoms, response to therapy, and the broader clinical picture—not laboratory testing alone.
I prioritize antimicrobial and antiparasitic therapies tailored to the individual patient.
While some patients explore HBOT as supportive care, I continue to see the most meaningful long-term improvement when the underlying infection is addressed directly.
Clinical Takeaway
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may provide temporary symptom relief—but it does not replace infection-focused treatment.
HBOT does not directly eliminate Lyme disease or common co-infections and should not be viewed as a primary treatment strategy.
Patients tend to improve most when persistent infections and co-infections are carefully identified and treated appropriately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hyperbaric oxygen therapy cure Lyme disease?
No. Current evidence does not show that HBOT eliminates Lyme disease infection.
Why do some patients feel better after HBOT?
Temporary symptom relief may reflect anti-inflammatory effects or changes in tissue oxygenation rather than eradication of infection.
Does HBOT treat Babesia or Bartonella?
No. HBOT does not directly treat common Lyme disease co-infections.
Should HBOT replace antibiotics?
No. HBOT should not replace infection-focused antimicrobial treatment.
What matters most in persistent Lyme disease symptoms?
Careful evaluation for ongoing infection, co-infections, immune dysfunction, and autonomic involvement remains critical.
Related Articles
- Babesia and Lyme Disease
- Persistent Symptoms in Lyme Disease
- Autonomic Dysfunction in Lyme Disease
- Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome
References
- Huang CY, Chen YW, Kao TH, et al. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an effective adjunctive treatment for chronic Lyme disease. J Chin Med Assoc. 2014;77(5):269-271.
- Fife CE, Buyukcakir C, Otto GH, Sheffield PJ, Love TL, Warriner RA. Factors influencing the outcome of lower-extremity diabetic ulcers treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Wound Repair Regen. 2007;15(3):322-331.
- Stricker RB, Johnson L. Lyme disease: the next decade. Infect Drug Resist. 2011;4:1-9.
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
HBOT is definitely is one of the antidote that work when it comes to different forms of parasites. When pure oxygen is infiltrated into areas that the blood and/or antibiotics cannot reach, this is where the oxygen penetrates parts of the soft tissue areas where persisters hide. HBOT creates an alkaline state verses acidosis which parasites hate.
i am going through hell since Covid
I have patient with Lyme whose symptoms mimic long covid. I also patient with both whose long covid improves once their lyme disease is treated
Dr Cameron…….two questions please
1. Where are you located, your practice, and
2. Are you taking new patients?
Thank you…..Greta, Northern Michigan
Thank you, Greta. My practice is based in Mount Kisco, New York, and I am currently accepting new patients. Please visit my website for details on scheduling and next steps.
I had Lyme for a couple years.
Worked with assorted and respected practitioners and seemed to achieve some pushback only to have a reoccurrence.
Can anyone in your circle give me a Lyme guy in chicago.
I’m a 71 yrold Luddite who was spoiled by the concept of face to face 🙂
HBOT has been studied in malaria with studies showing it lowers parasite load and brain dysfunction. It also proven as an adjunct treatment to mold, Chrohns and other complications that happen with us that are seriously ill. It can also help with hemolytic anemia and low oxygen before during and after treatment plus at higher ATA can break biofilm, release stem cells and strengthen immunity. Even cooler is that is can start that anticoagulation cascade that breaks down clots and fibrin. There is a place for it in a comprehensive plan and seems to help medications work faster.
I have colleagues used HBOT despite the lack of published evidence. The first study out of Texas did not find HBOT helpful. Since they we know more about the complexity of Lyme and clinical trials making difficult to study