In hospitals i think they have those pure oxygen tanks where patients post-surgery go in so they can heal/recover faster. I remember seeing on CNN where a kid got his face burnt in Iraq and then after surgery he went into the pure oxygen chamber to recover faster.

honeybunch, i'm Super excited about your research. your deductions are sound, indeed.

case in point: when i got a stomach flu a couple of years ago, it was the ONLY time since i've had chronic inflammation on my lips that i did not have to put Anything on my lips at all and they were FINE. i mean, smooth, not peeling, warm, red, plump. i realized that, in trying to heal itself, my temperature was elevated (hence, the fever), and i can feel the oxygen-rich blood being pumped from my fingers to my toes more aggressively. i could feel my lips pulsating from my fever & the blood rushing. my body was working hard to repair itself--and my lips benefitted. amazing!

after that bout of sickness & healing, the effect on my lips lasted almost a month. but then my body's normal homeostatis came back. perhaps i don't have the best circulation? i feel my lips are best when i'm relaxed, warm, and well-rested. (no stress, no surge of cortisol, see!)

some warning about silver-oxide. do Not use for long-term. your lips will turn an unflattering blue colour. also, remember that cells die because they become Oxidized, just like iron rusts in the presence of, well, what else? oxygen! it makes sense that anti-oxidants are essential for optimum cell health. when we age, it's as if we're rusting. and oxygen is the catalyst. see the absurd paradox? oxygen is like men (or women): you can't live with them, you can't live without 'em! Balance is Key here.

i'll keep reading 'til the latest & greatest post. perhaps we've already found a cure? but when we do, let's all throw a party at bill gates's house (i live in seattle) and celebrate!

i'm so excited!

So something that reduces cytokines and Oxygen therapy should work......