Trench foot, also known as immersion foot, occurs when the feet are wet for long periods of time. It can be quite painful, but it can be prevented and treated.
Trench foot, or immersion foot syndrome, is a condition that can occur when your feet are cold and wet for a long period of time. It often happens when you have to wear wet socks and shoes or boots for days at a time. Prolonged exposure to damp, cold and sometimes unsanitary conditions can lead to the disease.
Unlike frostbite, trench foot can occur without freezing temperatures. The feet can be affected in temperatures up to 16 C (60 F), and the disease can develop in as little as 10 to 14 hours.
Trench foot symptoms can affect the heels, toes or entire foot. The classic presentation of NFCI is a cold, swollen, white/grey foot that can feel numb, heavy, painful and prickly. In the early stages of trench feet, blood vessels constrict in cold, moist conditions resulting in a lack of oxygen to the tissues.
When water seeps through your footwear, your skin absorbs the water causing your feet to become waterlogged, wrinkly and even smell. YUCK! The longer your feet are wet, the greater the damage to your skin, including tears and the formation of blisters and deep painful cracks.
Trench foot or immersion foot is a type of tissue damage caused by prolonged exposure to cold and wet conditions. It leads to swelling, pain, and sensory disturbances in the feet. It can lead to damage to the blood vessels, nerves, skin, and muscle.
Feet have more sweat glands per square inch than any other area of your body, so it's no surprise that everyone experiences sweaty feet from time to time. It's normal for feet to sweat more when it's hot or you're participating in a strenuous activity that elevates your body temperature.
Redness and itching are also common symptoms, whereas some people experience cracking and flaking of the skin as well. The infected area will tend to feel raw and dry. If the infection has spread to the nails, your toenails will appear discoloured and thick or may even start to pull away from the nail bed.
Advanced trench foot often involves blisters and open sores, which lead to fungal infections; this is sometimes called jungle rot. It is marked by severe short-term pain when feeling returns.
Treat the affected part by applying warm packs or soaking in warm water (102° to 110° F) for approximately 5 minutes. When sleeping or resting, do not wear socks. Obtain medical assistance as soon as possible.
Wash your feet daily with an antibacterial soap; be sure to wash between the toes. Dry the feet thoroughly, then apply cornstarch, foot powder, or an antifungal powder to your feet. Wear wicking socks made of natural or acrylic fiber blends that draw the moisture away from your feet instead of trapping it.
Amitriptyline is likely the most effective medication for pain relief.
You may see signs of trench foot in 10 to 14 hours. But it could take 2 to 3 days to set in. The condition can affect your heel, toes, or your whole foot.
Stage 4— Post-Hyperaemic Phase
This is a long-term vasospastic (narrowing of the blood vessels) phase involving increased pain on warming, hyperhidrosis (extreme and excessive sweating) of the feet, and paresthesia (pins and needles sensation). The affected foot/feet may develop a sensation of being cold, permanently.
Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription antifungal creams, ointments, gels, sprays or powders effectively treat athlete's foot. These products contain clotrimazole, miconazole, tolnaftate or terbinafine. Some prescription antifungal medications for athlete's foot are pills.
On the feet, the rash often appears between the toes or on the instep of the foot. It can look like clear bumps, small blisters, or as peeling, cracking, or scaling skin. Often this is very itchy and sometimes causes a burning feeling. Fungal infections can also occur in the toenails (called onychomychosis).
Foot rot can be mild or severe. The erosion of tissue between the sole of the toe and the hard outer hoof characterizes foot rot. Upon trimming the hoof, the outer shell of the hoof will be separated from the inner sole. Severe cases of foot rot may be accompanied by the presence of pus and a foul smell.
Pitted keratolysis is a skin disorder that's caused by bacteria. It creates crater-like pits or small holes on the top layer of your skin and usually affects the soles of your feet, but can also develop on the palms of your hands. It's more common in people who: Often go barefoot and live in tropical areas.
Increased rain can cause lameness in cattle. The most common cause of lameness in beef cattle after rains is foot rot, an infection of the skin between the toes of cattle that extends into underlying tissues and can cause swelling, severe lameness, and dying tissue between the toes.
Temperature regulation is an important part of falling asleep. Wearing socks in bed increases blood flow to feet and heat loss through the skin, which helps lower core body temperature. In turn, this helps a person get to sleep faster.
Why? Because their feet are extra sweaty and become home to bacteria called Kyetococcus sedentarius (say: kite-oh-KAH-kus SEH-den-tair-ee-us). These bacteria produce more than just stinky organic acids — they also produce stuff called volatile sulfur compounds. Sulfur compounds usually are powerful and awful smelling.
“The primary cause is from a lack of ventilation for your feet. There are thousands of sweat glands in feet, which produce quite a bit of sweat each day. The unpleasant smell comes when the perspiration isn't allowed to evaporate.”