Is Oxygen Therapy and Vaseline a Dangerous Combination?

Oxygen and Vaseline: A Dangerous Combination or a Myth?

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Oxygen and Vaseline have a complicated history. There is much back and forth from medical professionals and scientists regarding whether it is safe to use Vaseline when receiving oxygen therapy or not. However, are these 2 substances a dangerous combination or is that a myth?

In this myth-buster blog post, we will find out once-and-for-all whether oxygen and Vaseline are a safe combination or not. First, let us briefly discuss what Vaseline is.

Vaseline: What Is It?

Vaseline is made with petroleum jelly, which is a semi-solid substance derived from petroleum. Petroleum is a yellow-black liquid found in the Earth’s surface that is refined into many different types of fuel.

You might be wondering how a source of fuel ended up in a consumer product for chapped lips and wound healing. As the story goes, Robert Chesebrough discovered the substance in 1859 when he noticed oil workers applying the jelly onto their skin to heal their wounds. Upon this discovery, he bottled it up and began selling it as a consumer product. Later, other brands started using petroleum jelly in their products such as Chapstick and Blistex.

The Elements of a Fire

Before we answer the question of whether oxygen and Vaseline together pose a fire risk, let us look at what constitutes a fire. When you combine oxygen, any fuel source, and heat (or a spark), you have a classic recipe for a fire. We will break down these 3 elements to explore how they contribute to a fire.

Oxygen
Oxygen in the air can accelerate combustion. While oxygen itself isn’t flammable, it will speed up the rate of combustion when an active fire is already present. These effects are more pronounced when the oxygen source is under pressure, such as oxygen from a tank or a concentrator.

Fuel Source
Petroleum is the unrefined substance that is later refined into gasoline, which we use for cars and other types of engines. Wood and natural gas are also common fuel sources found in the home. Tossing any of these substances into an active fire will immediately increase the intensity of the fire.

Heat
Heating the fuel source with a match, friction, or focused light from a magnifying glass can ignite a fire when a fuel source is present. Fuel sources have varying degrees of flashpoints and ignition temperatures, so the ease at which a substance starts a fire depends on the flashpoint or ignition temperature relative to that substance.

Myth or Reality?

Now that we have discussed what Vaseline is and the elements of a fire, what is the final verdict?

Oxygen and Vaseline, when combined with a heat source, DO pose a fire risk.

At the level of basic chemistry, we can see that combining oxygen, a source of heat, and any product derived from petroleum (a fuel source) will lead to a fire.

That said, there have been some relatively recent attempts to dispel this as a myth. Some medical professionals have claimed that the small amounts of petroleum jelly typically used to lubricate the skin is not enough to pose a significant fire risk. However, there have been cases where these 3 elements were present (oxygen, Vaseline, and friction), they ignited a fire, and it led to second-degree burns. Additionally, several pharmacists, as recently as 2016, wrote that a general lack of evidence on the issue continues to drive their recommendation to avoid petroleum-based products when using oxygen therapy, and to use water-based products instead.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this blog post puts an end to the debate: oxygen and Vaseline are not a safe combination. If you experience dryness or irritation from your oxygen therapy, it is best to use water-based lubricants or a bubble humidifier to find relief.

Information on this page is for reference and educational purposes only. For more information talk to your doctor or primary care provider.

Updated: September 11, 2023
Published: October 22, 2018

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Ryan Anthony, BS, RRT is a registered respiratory therapist and content writer and medical blogger currently located in Los Angeles, California. As a Respiratory Therapist, he performs a wide range of hospital duties including adult and neonatal intensive care, nitric oxide therapy, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, conventional mechanical ventilation, noninvasive ventilation, BiPAP, CPAP, intubation assistance, bronchoscopy assistance, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, chest physiotherapy, and nebulizer therapy.

About Ryan Anthony:

Ryan Anthony, BS, RRT is a registered respiratory therapist and content writer and medical blogger currently located in Los Angeles, California. As a Respiratory Therapist, he performs a wide range of hospital duties including adult and neonatal intensive care, nitric oxide therapy, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, conventional mechanical ventilation, noninvasive ventilation, BiPAP, CPAP, intubation assistance, bronchoscopy assistance, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, chest physiotherapy, and nebulizer therapy.

37 thoughts on “Oxygen and Vaseline: A Dangerous Combination or a Myth?

  1. Is it bad to put Vaseline up your nose when you’re on oxygen because I have been doing that because my nose is so dry do you recommend anything for the dryness thank you

    • I had this problem, dry nose and mouth in the morning. I purchased a small humidifier that lasted 8 hours, work great, I have no more problem.

    • There is a product call Ayr nasal gel that I use. Even with a bubbler your nose gets dried out you can’t use Vaseline. I’ve tried all kind of other things and then my hospice nurse recommended this product. it comes in a gel and a spray like a nasal spray. Because sometimes your nose gets dry way far up in there. You can find it at any pharmacy. I got mine on Amazon. Good luck to you. I feel your pain, but this is the stuff really works.

      • Thank you for sharing your recommendation. We always suggest to consult with your healthcare provider or a medical professional before using any new product to ensure it’s suitable for your specific needs and medical condition.

  2. The question you answered seems to be me to be: Is Vaseline flammable? Of course it is. And if you introduce fire, cigarettes etc to the area with the vaseline and oxygen it’s reasonable to suppose that your patient may get burned. But since the ignition temperature of Vaseline is around 400 degrees the heart of the original question is “Is it plausible that your patient’s face is going to catch fire if you put vaseline on their lips at the hospital” my answer is going to be No every time. No patient that I’ve ever seen is lighting up cigarettes in their hospital room, and aside from spontaneous combustion I’m not sure how the risk/benefit analysis comes out in favor of denying your patient vaseline. To cake layers of K-Y in their nose and on their lips is silly, ineffective and honestly a little unkind since it makes their discomfort worse. Though this was recommended in nursing school, only misguided coworkers that have never had it put in their own nose would actually do it)

    • Lisa, you’ve never caught a patient smoking in the hospital? I have. (RN here). I also think it’s unkind to label your “misguided” coworkers with that adjective just because they’re trying to use best practice. Do whatever you want, I guess. Just don’t bring everyone else down with you. Cheers!

    • Lisa,
      Good for you for sticking up for facts and reality. You already ‘Get It’.
      You are correct technically [which is the best kind of correct 🙂 ], as well as practically correct. I periodically do a literature search on this subject, and not-surprisingly, the only two articles i can ever find are in nursing journals from 1998 and 1999 that essentially say: “We researched this question, and can’t actually find anything ever published on the subject.” 24 years later, and the search returns the same results. The only other articles are always, “I heard this story from another RN,” or “Well, I (or my group) have thought about it, and here’s our opinion.” (Like the ‘Pharmacist’s Perspective’ article above.) These are not even worth the time reading. If there had been any petroleum-jelly-caused fire injury in a health-care setting during that time, 2 attendings, 3 interns, and 4 medical students would have stepped all over each other to get the case study published in a medical journal, there would be local news reports about it, and the National Fire Protection Association would have 5 regulations banning petroleum jelly in hospitals (they don’t). But the literature seems devoid of any actual incidents.
      You see “No petroleum jelly” so often on otherwise reliable sites, that “It must be true, right?” Wrong. Recommending people avoid petroleum jelly while on O2 because an uninformed person repeats a completely made-up risk/benefit analysis pulled from someone’s GI tract or gotten from the legal department is lazy, poor practice, and makes whatever else that person or organization pontificates about suspect.
      Insisting on dried, caked K-Y in patients’ noses is just cruel. And repeating some urban legend you heard from your hairdresser’s sister’s roommate, or even from the Dir. of Nursing or the Dir. of RT (who heard it from HER hairdresser’s sister’s roommate, believe me) is the exact opposite of “Best Practice”. “Best Practice” means knowing the facts and practicing with those facts in mind. “Misguided” is a nicer term than i would use to describe those who don’t know what best-practice is, and who think defending your practice with facts somehow will “bring everyone else down.”

  3. So, I’m not a medical practitioner, but I am on oxygen. I have been reading many articles on this subject because I took a fall and have a large sore under my nose that needs antibiotic ointment but there is no such thing without Petroleum. The way I see it, Petroleum is safe as long as I don’t smoke, (which I don’t , and is a foolish and dangerous thing to do on Oxygen anyway), light candles or use a fire source with your oxygen on, or cook which, even without Petroleum it is a good idea to remove your cannula before getting close to these sources with or without Petroleum products.

  4. I am on 24/7 @ 10L in the day when moving around and 6L at night. Vaseline is the only thing I have found to give immediate (over night relief to the crusty build up in my nose. I’ve tried Ayr cream and nasal mist with no significant change. In addition to the crusty stuff, my nose gets to be sore. I plan to apply some Vaseline to my 2 nostrils at bedtime every other night or as necessary to give me relief. I don’t see any risk of friction or spark at age 83 that will cause a fire. On the other hand I might welcome that if it were to occur. If I feel something coming on I’ll turn off the oxygen and enjoy the time. 🙂

    • Way to go Earl. I am 85 and 6L 24/7. Use vaseline in the nose irregularly at bed time. Haven’t gone up in flames yet.
      Richard

    • I want to know about the uses of Perfume , oils for dry hair, make up, Vicks im on 18 to 24 hrs oxygen and regretting the changes to my life

      • When using oxygen therapy for an extended period of time, there are certain precautions you should take with regards to personal care products like perfume, oils for dry hair, makeup, and Vicks (VapoRub). Here are some guidelines to consider:

        Perfume: It’s generally recommended to avoid using strong perfumes or fragrances while on oxygen therapy. Strong scents can potentially interact with the oxygen and affect the quality of the air you’re breathing.
        If you still want to use a mild fragrance, consider applying it to areas away from your oxygen delivery system, such as your clothing or hair.

        Oils for Dry Hair: Some hair oils or products may contain flammable ingredients, which can pose a risk around oxygen. Check the product label and avoid using oil-based hair products close to your oxygen equipment.
        If you need to use hair products, choose water-based or non-flammable options and apply them away from your oxygen source.

        Makeup: Wearing makeup is generally safe while on oxygen therapy, but avoid using aerosolized makeup products near your oxygen equipment.
        Ensure that any makeup you use does not block the flow of oxygen from your nasal cannula or mask.

        Vicks (VapoRub): Vicks contains aromatic ingredients that may cause irritation or discomfort when inhaled along with oxygen. It’s best to avoid using Vicks or similar products while using oxygen therapy.

        If you need relief from congestion, consider speaking to your healthcare provider about alternative options that are safe for use with oxygen therapy.
        It’s important to prioritize safety and comfort while using oxygen therapy. If you have specific concerns about any personal care products or their interactions with oxygen, it’s a good idea to consult your healthcare provider or a respiratory therapist.

    • I use a humidifier during the winter to remove that dryness, it works very well for me, and they are cheap enough to get one and give it a try.

  5. Hi let me add an usefull advice
    To use sésamo oil seed instead of Vaseline to lubricate your nostril and the end of cánula where it goes inside them
    It has been very useful and easy
    I do not think that it might exist any danger to use this natural oil proceeding from seeds of sésamo

  6. I prefer mentholatum. It doesn’t require a lot in your nose and it feels so good. If there is a low risk I will take it over being miserable. I also use argan oil on my face and in my hair because the oxygen has given me dry flaky skin. I use a heating pad on my sore back…careful to keep the oxygen hose far away from it. I wish there was a solution to static in my clothes. I have tried everything with no luck! I am not whining!! But good grief, my first year on oxygen I was terrified of everything and didn’t know where to turn back then. I started reading all I could and have learned more from other patients than any doctor! Thanks everyone…keep on keepin’ on! Nancy

  7. What does it mean if you don’t have any issues with “dry nose” any more. I did have all the issues, but it stopped. Reading this page I just realized I have not complained to myself in a long time. Therefor I am assuming that is a good thing. If its not I hope Dr. O will let me know thanks.

  8. I’m a former C.N.A. in hospital and LTC facilities 1998-2021. A nurse (can’t remember which one) told me never use Chap-stik, or Blistex , or patroleum based lip balm with oxygen patients. Whether it was a myth or not I followed her instructions because it’s better to be safe now than to be sorry later.

    Not saying much cuz I don’t want to offend anyone but I’ve seen all walks of life. And I live by the motto: If somethings gonna go bad it normally happens to me so if you’re a Healthcare worker. Follow your instruction is the best and safest answer.

  9. ”However, there have been cases where these 3 elements were present (oxygen, Vaseline, and friction), they ignited a fire, and it led to second-degree burns.””

    I call BS on this statement and ask for documented proof. Oxygen, Vaseline and Heat (at or above 120 degrees Celcius) would be required to ignite the Vaseline. Show me documented evidence where there was friction caused such excessive heat to ignite Vaseline anc cause burns…

    • Make sure that the use of any ointment does not interfere with the proper functioning of your oxygen concentrator. It’s always a good idea to consult your healthcare provider before using any new products, especially if you are on oxygen therapy or have respiratory issues. They can provide personalized advice based on your medical history and current condition.

    • I am on oxygen and l put Vaseline on my lips and my lips got burned, what do I use to restore my lips back.I was told to use Dr.Dan’s cortibalm it helped to relieve the pain, what should I use to restore the color.

      • Staying hydrated is important for overall skin health, including the health of your lips. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to help keep your lips hydrated from the inside out.

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