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Trench foot
Injury to the foot due to poor circulation, cold and moisture / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Trench foot, also known by other names, is a type of foot damage due to moisture.[1] Initial symptoms often include tingling or itching which can progress to numbness.[1][2] The feet may become red or bluish in color.[1] As the condition worsens the feet can start to swell and smell of decay.[1] Complications may include skin breakdown or infection.[1]
Trench foot | |
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Other names | Immersion foot |
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Trench foot as seen on an unidentified soldier during World War I | |
Specialty | Emergency medicine, podiatry |
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Trench foot occurs due to prolonged exposure of the feet to cold, damp, and often unsanitary conditions.[1] Unlike frostbite, trench foot usually occurs at temperatures above freezing,[1] and can be classed as a form of non-freezing cold injury.[3] Onset can be as rapid as 10 hours.[1] Risk factors include overly tight boots and not moving.[4] The underlying mechanism is believed to involve constriction of blood vessels resulting in insufficient blood flow to the feet.[1] Diagnosis is based on symptoms and examination.[1]
Prevention involves keeping the feet warm, dry, and clean.[1] After the condition has occurred, pain medications may be required during the gradual rewarming process.[1] Pain may persist for months following treatment.[4] Surgery to remove damaged tissue or amputation may be necessary.[1]
Those in the military are most commonly affected, though cases may also occur in the homeless.[1] The condition was first described during Napoleon Bonaparte's retreat from Russia in the winter of 1812.[1]