Oxygen at home

Some people with cancer can become breathless for a number of reasons. Once your doctor has found out why you are breathless they will offer treatment to try to help improve it.

They might recommend oxygen therapy for you to use in your home if your symptoms don't improve with other treatments.

You might get relief from using oxygen if you’re oxygen levels are lower than usual and you are short of breath. But it does not help everyone.

When you might have oxygen at home 

You might need to use oxygen during activity or exercise. This could be when you go walking or take a shower. Or you might need to use oxygen all of the time.

There are different types of equipment for different needs. Your doctor and specialist nurse will tell you what is most appropriate for you and the amount of oxygen you need.

Different types of oxygen therapy equipment

There are different types of equipment you might have at home.

These Include:

• an oxygen concentrator machine
• a portable oxygen concentrator
• a compressed oxygen cylinder
• a liquid oxygen cylinder

If you only need oxygen for a short period of time you usually have cylinders. But if you need oxygen for longer or higher flow rates, then you are likely to need an oxygen concentrator.

Your doctor and specialist nurse will explain what the best oxygen therapy is for you. They will also tell you what you need to do to keep safe when using oxygen in your home. It is especially important to have smoke alarms fitted and not to smoke.

Types of oxygen supply

Oxygen concentrators

Oxygen concentrators are used when you need oxygen for longer periods of time.

How oxygen concentrators work

An oxygen concentrator works by filtering out oxygen from the air. You then breathe in the oxygen through small tubes that fit inside your nose (nasal cannulae). Or you might have a mask that goes over your mouth and nose. If you breathe through an opening in your neck (tracheostomy) and need oxygen, you have a mask that fits over the area.  

The concentrator is about the size of a medium suitcase. It plugs directly into a normal electricity socket. Tubing from the machine can go along the floor or skirting board. This helps to reduce trips and falls. Oxygen can be supplied from different points around your home, so you can have this upstairs and downstairs. 

You might also have an oxygen cylinder to use as a backup. This is in case the machine breaks down or your electricity supply stops working.

Portable oxygen concentrators

Portable oxygen concentrators are also available, these work by using a rechargeable battery.

These are smaller oxygen concentrators that give you a burst of oxygen with each breath you take. They are used if you go out.

They are not a replacement for the larger oxygen concentrator used in the home. If this is suitable for you, your specialist nurse can discuss it with you in more detail.

Compressed oxygen cylinder

You may have an oxygen cylinder if you only need oxygen for short bursts, have low flow rates, or don’t need long term oxygen. Or you may have one as a backup for an oxygen concentrator. This is because cylinders do not need an electricity supply.

Oxygen cylinders come in different sizes including a portable size. They can be carried using specially adapted trolleys or backpacks.

Liquid oxygen cylinders

Liquid oxygen allows the storage of larger amounts of oxygen in liquid form. You might have this if you use portable oxygen therapy regularly or if you need a high rate of oxygen. It is usually stored in a tank in your home. It must be kept in a well ventilated area. 

Liquid oxygen is not suitable for everyone. Your specialist nurse or doctor will let you know more about this and the safety measures to need to take. 

Home oxygen supply

Your specialist doctor or GP will order oxygen for you. It depends on where you live In the UK who orders your oxygen supply. 

You need to sign a consent form allowing your doctor to send your contact details to the oxygen company. The company then contacts you to arrange a visit to deliver and install the oxygen. If you need to replace an empty cylinder you will have information on how to arrange this.

In the UK, there are 4 companies that supply oxygen cylinders, concentrators, and liquid oxygen. Depending on when you live in the UK there will be one supplier who will deliver oxygen to your home.

The company is responsible for everything to do with your oxygen supply. This includes providing a 24-hour contact number to call if you have any problems with your oxygen supply. This is free from a landline. 

Your home oxygen supplier will show you, and your carer how to use the concentrator and cylinder and answer any questions you have. The company will also service the machine. This is usually twice a year. 

The NHS does contribute towards the energy costs. The supply company will arrange for you to be paid back for the electricity you use for your oxygen.

Mouth care

Using oxygen can sometimes make your mouth and nostrils very dry. If left, a dry mouth can become very uncomfortable and lead to bad breath, infections, and sore cracked lips.

To help avoid this try to:

• drink as often as you can
• keep your teeth clean

Safety advice using oxygen at home

Oxygen is a fire hazard so remember to be careful with it when you have it at home.

When using oxygen at home:

• Don't allow anyone to smoke, use e-cigarettes or vape or use chargers near you while you're using oxygen.
• Keep oxygen at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from gas cookers and gas heaters, fires and wood burners.
• Don't use flammable liquids, such as cleaning fluid, paint thinner or aerosols, while using oxygen. You should also avoid some hand sanitisers and hand creams as these can be flammable. Speak to your specialist nurse if you are unsure what you can use.
• Install fire alarms and smoke detectors in your home and regularly check they are working.
• Be careful not to trip over the oxygen tubing anywhere around your house.
• Turn off your oxygen when you are not using it.
• Keep your rooms well ventilated when you use your oxygen.
• Do not remove the fire breaks fitted to the oxygen tubing. The fire breaks will stop the oxygen if there is a fire.
• Allow 30 minutes after turning off your oxygen before you do any cooking or go near any flames, use an electric razor, straighteners, or hairdryer. Oxygen may build up in your clothes. It’s important to give your clothes time to air.

Going on holiday

We have information on how to organise oxygen supplies when you are travelling or going on holiday.