How does trench foot start

The blood vessels constrict in an attempt to keep warm by reducing blood flow to the extremities. This reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients to the feet which can result in tissue and nerve damage. It can develop in temperatures up to sixteen degrees celsius sixty degrees fahrenheit and can even affect people indoors. Any wet environment, be it from excessive sweating to wearing damp socks and shoes, can cause Immersion Foot. It can take less than a day of exposure to poor conditions for Trench Foot to develop.

Nowadays, NFCI is most commonly seen in builders, hikers, extreme-sports enthusiasts, security guards, campers, aid-workers and festival goers.

At the Glastonbury music festival, doctors were seeing approximately ninety people a day with Immersion Foot. In the early stages of trench feet, blood vessels constrict in cold, moist conditions resulting in a lack of oxygen to the tissues. The feet become cold, numb and mildly swollen, painful and discoloured. If Trench Foot is allowed to progress, tissue and nerve damage occur.

Swelling increases and a constant pins and needles sensation develops. Sometimes the loss of nerve function can make other symptoms, such as pain, less noticeable.

You may also be more prone to complications if you have any wounds on your feet. While recovering from trench foot, you should be on the lookout for signs of infection, such as swelling or oozing of any wounds. Your doctor will be able to diagnose trench foot with a physical exam. They will look at any injuries and tissue loss and determine the extent of circulation loss.

They may also test out nerve function by seeing if you can feel pressure points on your foot. Read more: 3 massages for pressure points on your feet ». As medical professionals have learned more about trench foot, treatment has evolved. During WWI, trench foot was first treated with bed rest.

Soldiers were also treated with foot washes made from lead and opium. As their conditions improved, massages and plant-based oils such as olive oil were applied. If the symptoms of trench foot got worse, amputation was sometimes necessary to prevent circulation problems from spreading to other areas of the body. Today, trench foot is treated with relatively straightforward methods.

This will also prevent new blisters and wounds. This can lead to serious long-term damage, and even loss of limbs. What you should know about trench foot. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. Overview Symptoms Causes Treatment Prevention Trench foot, also known as immersion foot syndrome, is a type of non-freezing cold injury.

What is trench foot? Image credit: Mehmet Karatay, What are the main symptoms? What causes it? Share on Pinterest Military personnel are most likely to be affected by trench foot. How is it treated? Share on Pinterest Wearing well fitting boots, thick socks, and keeping the feet out of water is recommended to prevent trench foot. Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help?

Related Coverage. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Part 1. Check for symptoms.

Trench foot is caused by having wet feet for long periods of time, due to things like having wet shoes and socks or standing in water or mud for a long period of time. If you start to notice symptoms of trench foot, then you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. National Institutes of Health Go to source tingling or numbness pain in your feet itchiness swelling feet discoloration shiny, warm, or red skin as the tissue warmsup [3] X Research source. Wash and dry your feet frequently.

Although trench foot was termed over a hundred years ago and seems to be something of the past, it can still occur in people who spend many hours in cold, wet conditions.

One of the best ways to treat trench foot is to keep your feet dry and clean. Trench foot develops because the blood vessels of the feet constrict in an attempt to keep the rest of the body warm, which reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients the tissue gets. Without adequate oxygen and nutrients, the tissues of the feet swell and eventually die. Bacteria in the water can also trigger infections if there's cuts or abrasions on the feet. Dry and warm up your feet.

If you've been standing in cold water for hours at a time, it's important to not only dry your feet, but you need to warm them up gradually. National Institutes of Health Go to source The heat will open up dilate blood vessels and increase the circulation to your feet, which will stop the progression of trench foot.

Apply warm packs or soak your feet in warm water for approximately minutes. Resist the urge to use hot water because you may scold your feet and make the condition worse. If you take a warm foot bath, add some potassium permanganate solution from your local pharmacy to the water — it can help draw fluid out of the swollen tissue. Take off your socks while sleeping and resting.

Once you've warmed your feet up, it's important to keep your socks off initially while you rest and sleep in your bed. After a few days of recovery, you can wear loose socks made of breathable material, such as cotton. Instead of socks, keep your feet warm while resting by covering them with a wool blanket. Don't elevate your feet while sitting on the couch because you want to encourage blood flow to your lower legs and feet. While lying in bed at night, add another blanket to the bottom of your bed to keep your feet warm.

Try not to cross your ankles because that can slow circulation to your feet. Consider over-the-counter medications. Trench foot is characterized by tissue swelling and pain that can become quite severe. It can affect the toes, heel, or the entire foot depending on which parts of your feet are wet and for how long. Anti-inflammatories work best and are safest if taken for short periods of time -- less than a few weeks.

Once trench foot sets in, it can take between a few weeks to several months to fully heal, depending on the severity and the overall health of the person.