Note 1 - Organization	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Notes to Financial Statements
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “*Company” or “our,” “we,” or “us”) develops and sells scientifically-created and clinically-proven eyecare, and wound care products. Our leading product, Avenova® Antimicrobial Lid and Lash Solution, or Avenova Spray, is proven in laboratory testing to have broad antimicrobial properties as it removes foreign material including microorganisms and debris from the skin around the eye, including the eyelid. Avenova Spray is formulated with our proprietary, stable and pure form of hypochlorous acid and is cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) for sale in the United States. Avenova Spray is available direct to consumers primarily through online distribution channels and is also available by prescription and dispensed by eyecare professionals for blepharitis and dry eye disease. Because dry eye is a complex condition, we offer a complementary portfolio of scientifically-developed products for each step of the standard at-home treatment regimen, including the Avenova Eye Health Support antioxidant-rich oral supplement, Avenova Lubricating Eye Drops for instant relief, NovaWipes by Avenova, Avenova Warm Eye Compress to soothe the eyes, and the i-Chek by Avenova to monitor physical eyelid health. Through our former subsidiary DERMAdoctor, LLC (“DERMAdoctor”), the Company offered over 30 dermatologist-developed products targeting common skin concerns, ranging from aging and blemishes to dry skin, perspiration and keratosis pilaris. Subsequent to December 31, 2023,* on March 25, 2024, we announced that we had sold DERMAdoctor (the “*DERMAdoctor Divestiture”). We acquired DERMAdoctor in November 2021 (the “DERMAdoctor Acquisition”) in order to achieve overall revenue growth, cost reductions and profitability. We were unable to achieve those objectives with DERMAdoctor. The DERMAdoctor Divestiture immediately streamlined our business by reducing our cash burn and allowing us to begin focusing on pursuing newer and stronger growth opportunities that are better aligned with our core eyecare business. We also manufacture and sell our proprietary form of hypochlorous acid for the wound care market through our NeutroPhase and PhaseOne branded products. NeutroPhase and PhaseOne are used for the cleansing and irrigation as part of surgical procedures, as well as treating wounds, burns, ulcers and other injuries. The Company currently sells these products through distributors. The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of California on January 19, 2000,* as NovaCal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. It had no operations until July 1, 2002, on which date it acquired all of the operating assets of NovaCal Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a California limited liability company. In February 2007, the Company changed its name from NovaCal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In June 2010, the Company changed the state in which it was incorporated (the “*Reincorporation”) and is now incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. All references to “the Company” herein refer to the California corporation prior to the date of the Reincorporation and to the Delaware corporation on and after the date of the Reincorporation. The Company is managed as two reportable segments: (1) Eyecare and Wound Care and (2) Skincare. As noted above, on March 25, 2024,* we closed the DERMAdoctor Divestiture resulting in the sale of our skincare segment. Effective November 15, 2022, the Company effected a 1-for-35 reverse split of our outstanding common stock (“*Reverse Stock Split”). Except as otherwise specifically noted, all share numbers, share prices, exercise/conversion prices and per share amounts have been adjusted, on a retroactive basis, to reflect the Reverse Stock Split. Going* *Concern* The Company has sustained operating losses for the majority of its corporate history and expects that its 2024 expenses will exceed its 2024 revenues, as the Company continues to invest in its commercialization efforts. Additionally, the Company expects to continue incurring operating losses and negative cash flows until revenues reach a level sufficient to support ongoing growth and operations. Accordingly, the Company has determined that its planned operations raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Additionally, changing circumstances may cause the Company to expend cash significantly faster than currently anticipated, and the Company may need to spend more cash than currently expected because of circumstances beyond its control that impact the broader economy such as periods of inflation, supply chain issues, global pandemics and international conflicts (e.g., the conflicts between Israel and Hamas, Russia and Ukraine, and China and Taiwan). The Company’s long-term liquidity needs will be largely determined by the success of our commercialization efforts. To address the Company’s current liquidity and capital needs, the Company has and continues to evaluate different plans and strategic transactions to fund operations, including: (1) raising additional capital through debt and equity financings or from other sources; (2) reducing spending on operations, including reducing spending on one or more of its sales and marketing programs or restructuring operations to change its overhead structure; (3) out-licensing rights to certain of its products or product candidates, pursuant to which the Company would receive cash milestones or an upfront fee; (4) entering into license agreements to sell new products; and/or (5) the divestiture of certain business or product lines and related assets. The Company may issue securities, including common stock, preferred stock, convertible debt securities and warrants through additional private placement transactions or registered public offerings, which may require the filing of a Form S-1 or Form S-3 registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). While the Company believes that the proceeds from the 2023 Private Placement and 2023 Warrant Reprice Transaction (as defined below) and the DERMAdoctor Divestiture improved the Company’s liquidity in the near term, there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in executing additional capital raising strategies at levels necessary to address the Company’s ongoing and future cash flow and liquidity needs. Accordingly, the Company continues to evaluate different plans and strategies to address the Company’s capital and liquidity needs, as well as evaluating potential other strategic alternatives and transactions. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue to operate as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts of liabilities that may result from uncertainty related to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Note 1 - Organization

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company” or “our,” “we,” or “us”) develops and sells scientifically-created and clinically-proven eyecare, and wound care products. Our leading product, Avenova® Antimicrobial Lid and Lash Solution, or Avenova Spray, is proven in laboratory testing to have broad antimicrobial properties as it removes foreign material including microorganisms and debris from the skin around the eye, including the eyelid. Avenova Spray is formulated with our proprietary, stable and pure form of hypochlorous acid and is cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) for sale in the United States. Avenova Spray is available direct to consumers primarily through online distribution channels and is also available by prescription and dispensed by eyecare professionals for blepharitis and dry eye disease. Because dry eye is a complex condition, we offer a complementary portfolio of scientifically-developed products for each step of the standard at-home treatment regimen, including the Avenova Eye Health Support antioxidant-rich oral supplement, Avenova Lubricating Eye Drops for instant relief, NovaWipes by Avenova, Avenova Warm Eye Compress to soothe the eyes, and the i-Chek by Avenova to monitor physical eyelid health.

Through our former subsidiary DERMAdoctor, LLC (“DERMAdoctor”), the Company offered over 30 dermatologist-developed products targeting common skin concerns, ranging from aging and blemishes to dry skin, perspiration and keratosis pilaris. Subsequent to December 31, 2023, on March 25, 2024, we announced that we had sold DERMAdoctor (the “DERMAdoctor Divestiture”). We acquired DERMAdoctor in November 2021 (the “DERMAdoctor Acquisition”) in order to achieve overall revenue growth, cost reductions and profitability. We were unable to achieve those objectives with DERMAdoctor. The DERMAdoctor Divestiture immediately streamlined our business by reducing our cash burn and allowing us to begin focusing on pursuing newer and stronger growth opportunities that are better aligned with our core eyecare business.

We also manufacture and sell our proprietary form of hypochlorous acid for the wound care market through our NeutroPhase and PhaseOne branded products. NeutroPhase and PhaseOne are used for the cleansing and irrigation as part of surgical procedures, as well as treating wounds, burns, ulcers and other injuries. The Company currently sells these products through distributors.

The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of California on January 19, 2000, as NovaCal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. It had no operations until July 1, 2002, on which date it acquired all of the operating assets of NovaCal Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a California limited liability company. In February 2007, the Company changed its name from NovaCal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In June 2010, the Company changed the state in which it was incorporated (the “Reincorporation”) and is now incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. All references to “the Company” herein refer to the California corporation prior to the date of the Reincorporation and to the Delaware corporation on and after the date of the Reincorporation. The Company is managed as two reportable segments: (1) Eyecare and Wound Care and (2) Skincare. As noted above, on March 25, 2024, we closed the DERMAdoctor Divestiture resulting in the sale of our skincare segment.

Effective November 15, 2022, the Company effected a 1-for-35 reverse split of our outstanding common stock (“Reverse Stock Split”). Except as otherwise specifically noted, all share numbers, share prices, exercise/conversion prices and per share amounts have been adjusted, on a retroactive basis, to reflect the Reverse Stock Split.

Going Concern

The Company has sustained operating losses for the majority of its corporate history and expects that its 2024 expenses will exceed its 2024 revenues, as the Company continues to invest in its commercialization efforts. Additionally, the Company expects to continue incurring operating losses and negative cash flows until revenues reach a level sufficient to support ongoing growth and operations. Accordingly, the Company has determined that its planned operations raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Additionally, changing circumstances may cause the Company to expend cash significantly faster than currently anticipated, and the Company may need to spend more cash than currently expected because of circumstances beyond its control that impact the broader economy such as periods of inflation, supply chain issues, global pandemics and international conflicts (e.g., the conflicts between Israel and Hamas, Russia and Ukraine, and China and Taiwan).

The Company’s long-term liquidity needs will be largely determined by the success of our commercialization efforts. To address the Company’s current liquidity and capital needs, the Company has and continues to evaluate different plans and strategic transactions to fund operations, including: (1) raising additional capital through debt and equity financings or from other sources; (2) reducing spending on operations, including reducing spending on one or more of its sales and marketing programs or restructuring operations to change its overhead structure; (3) out-licensing rights to certain of its products or product candidates, pursuant to which the Company would receive cash milestones or an upfront fee; (4) entering into license agreements to sell new products; and/or (5) the divestiture of certain business or product lines and related assets. The Company may issue securities, including common stock, preferred stock, convertible debt securities and warrants through additional private placement transactions or registered public offerings, which may require the filing of a Form S-1 or Form S-3 registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). While the Company believes that the proceeds from the 2023 Private Placement and 2023 Warrant Reprice Transaction (as defined below) and the DERMAdoctor Divestiture improved the Company’s liquidity in the near term, there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in executing additional capital raising strategies at levels necessary to address the Company’s ongoing and future cash flow and liquidity needs. Accordingly, the Company continues to evaluate different plans and strategies to address the Company’s capital and liquidity needs, as well as evaluating potential other strategic alternatives and transactions. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue to operate as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts of liabilities that may result from uncertainty related to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.