Home oxygen advice needed!

[joanie1985]

Hi, so my mum has been in hospital for the past 23 days, due to bad infection she's going to need oxygen at home at least temporarily, but knowing what she can and can't do is really stressful. I know she's not supposed to be near cookers etc, but i'm even seeing not to use a hairdryer when her oxygen is on, and for now she has to be on it 24/7 while she's recovering. I was hoping anyone who has been on oxygen for a while might be able to advise on the best things to do do and not do (not even sure if she can use her moisturiser because not sure if it's oil based!). I want to get everything right for her so would really appreciate advice. Thank you.

[madonbrew]

Sorry to hear your mum is having a rough time, and I'm sure it's feeling pretty tough for you too. I have no idea about oxygen but hopefully they'll be some helpful people along soon!Take care both of you!

Dee 🌼

[gingermusic]

Hi I have been on oxygen 24/7 for many years now. Obviously keeping away from a cooker is the most obvious thing so microwave is by far the safest. I have not stopped using a hair dryer nor been told to. Using any form of moisturizer is indeed difficult in so far as trying to find one that is water based. Maybe aloe vera would help her skin?? Hopefully she will make a fast recovery and not need the oxygen for to long. I wish you both well.

[Musicalways]

Morning. So sorry your mum is ill needing oxygen. I know how difficult it is for children to see this regardless of age as I too use oxygen since contracting oxygenWhen oxygen is delivered at home you should be fully advised

Fire alarms need to be in place. They advise against the use of petroleum jelly or any oil-based products in moistures. I keep away from nail varnish and certain hair products

It does get easier after the shock.

[Zand60]

That's so lovely of you to be supporting your Mum. I've been on oxygen at home for years now and most of it is common sense. Stay away from any heat source while using oxygen... Wood burner, coal fire, bbq, candles, cooker anything that could be a source of ignition. I changed to a No7 water based face cream then I realised that in hospital the nurses didn't say anything about my Nivea so I've gone back to using that. Just cuddles and loving goes a long way and your Mum will appreciate you travelling on her journey with you.Take care. Lesley xxx

[PaulineHM]

Hi Joanie,

Sorry to hear that your Mum has been so poorly and is requiring oxygen 24/7 at the moment. Hope that is temporary for her.

Cooking with electric or gas ? I use my gas cooker whilst using the oxygen. Use my table top electric oven too.

Obviously be careful and stay as safe a distance from the cooker as possible is what I do is my advice.

I dont use a hair drier and haven’t done so for years. Imagine your Mum could not use her oxygen just for a few minutes to use the drier.

I wear a face cream, ( Weleda ) and I occasionally use a Vaseline lip balm though usually it’s a Burts Bees one.

The very clear precaution with using oxygen is no sparks and no naked flames close by to the oxygen as it can hang around on clothes ( upper clothing I would imagine ) . No smoking either..that is really the critical thing.

Hoping she feels much better soon. The oxygen will really help to get her moving again which is one the best things to do to counter de conditioning.

Go well.

Pauline

[Millyboo710]

It’s naked flames which are the problem. I have a gas hob so have to be out of the kitchen when that’s on (OH has learned to do most of the cooking!) but using my electric oven is fine. We now have LED candles which are pretty. I had to check my moisturisers and Nivea day and night are fine. Most body lotions are no good, but L’Occitane are fine. If we go to a pub or restaurant which has open fires, we call in advance and get seated well away from it. If there are candles on the table, we ask for them to be removed. I wish your mum well.

[leo60]

Hi joanie (that was my mother's name 😊) My daughter was terribly upset when I was sent home with oxygen and it is a lot to come to terms with. So saying, you get used to it very quickly and by the sounds of it, your mum may well not need it for ever. I am now just on ambulatory oxygen.

The main thing is naked flames. I once questioned the doctor about a cream she had prescribed that was oil based and she said "Well if you're not going near naked flames it will be fine" .

Use the oxygen as a way forward. It will enable your mum to move about and your encouragement in that is paramount in her recovery.

All the best to you both, and keep in touch xx

[pasquino]

Hi ,

Just for information:

Oxygen is NOT flammable but HELPS the fire.

So you must be careful but not exagerate!

Furthermore it depends from the amount/liters per minute , if she is (as usual )on one liter per minute the output of oxygen is very low.

Good advice is to stay far away from live flames, but frankly the story of the hairdryer seem to me an exageration...

Happily ox oxygen since 2022...

Pasquino

[Alberta56]

Best wishes. Hope all goes well.

[MoosterMoo]

Hi Joanie, sorry to hear about your mum. I hope she's doing ok and continuing to recover. I've been on oxygen almost a year now and it was terrifying at first. My main obstacle now is protecting my ears and nose when my grown up children (and dog) stand on the tubing! I don't use my gas hob anymore while on oxygen but I do still use my toaster, hairdryer and normal face cream. I was advised to use KY jelly for my nose as it does sometimes get sore. Like Musicalways says, everything will be explained to you when they deliver the oxygen. I'd you phone the fire brigade, they will come and check smoke alarms etc and also give you all the information you need. Take care x

[joanie1985]

Thank you for all of your replies! My mum is very determined to go on with life as normal, I'm already being ordered that she's going to do the washing, and turn the oxygen off for half an hour to make dinner, lol. She's very independent and has been reading the information booklets for how to handle things if she was home on her own etc, and is determined to adapt those to fit things she really wants to do in the house, one of which is make dinners sometimes. It was a daunting first night for me more than her, it's an adjustment but she's very determined, we'll figure it all out as we go. I appreciate all of your help.