Trench foot is a type of injury that occurs when the feet are cold and wet for a prolonged period.
It’s a non-freezing cold injury that is a type of cold stress. It can cause the breakdown of skin and tissues in the feet, which can be very painful. It is preventable and curable with treatments similar to those for frostbite.
Trench foot is also known as immersion foot syndrome.
Trench foot is a painful injury of the feet that can affect the toes, heel, or the entire foot.
It got its name during World War I, when many American and British soldiers developed the condition after spending prolonged periods in cold, waterlogged trenches at the frontline.
Causes and Symptoms
The main cause of trench foot is exposure to wet and cold conditions for long periods of time. Trench foot does not need freezing temperatures to develop; in fact, it can develop in temperatures up to 60ºF or 16ºC.
Moisture combined with cold temperatures can cause capillaries in the feet to weaken, leading to damage to the surrounding tissues. Those with excessively sweaty feet can also develop trench foot.
It typically takes one to three days of exposure to cold and wet conditions for trench foot to develop. In some cases, however, it can set in after 10 to 14 hours.
Symptoms of Trench Foot
Symptoms of trench foot include:
- Itching
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Feet feeling heavy and prickly, making it difficult to walk
- Skin changing to a bright red color, then turning pale and white as capillaries constrict
- Blisters and open sores
- Leg cramps
- Bleeding under the skin
- Gangrene
Upon moving out of the cold, the skin may start looking purple or blue due to lack of adequate bold flow and will feel cold. In severe cases, the feet can double in size due to swelling.
As the feet get back to normal temperatures, they may turn bright red again with severe pain as blood flow starts returning to the feet.
Preventing Trench Foot
Trench foot is preventable and treatable, and employers should take all necessary precautions to ensure their employees are protected when working in cold and wet environments.
Steps to preventing trench foot include:
First Aid for Trench Foot
- Seek immediate medical attention or call 911 in an emergency
- Remove all wet footwear
- Dry the feet and avoid walking
- Treat the injured feet with warm packs or soak in warm water for approximately 5 minutes at a time
- Keep the feet elevated to help prevent blisters
- Check feet daily to ensure no infection is developing
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