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What Is the Treatment for Trench Foot?

Rebecca Harkin
Rebecca Harkin

Trench foot, also known as immersion foot, occurs when the feet are kept immersed in water for long periods of time. If left untreated, this condition can eventually lead to gangrene and in rare cases may require amputation. It is essential to recognize the signs of trench foot and take action early by keeping the feet as dry as possible and by periodically changing into dry socks and shoes when the feet become wet. Early signs of this condition are cold, numb, tingly,or abnormally discolored feet.

Trench foot is named for the World War I soldiers who suffered from this condition while forced to live and fight in water-filled trenches. This condition is typically now only found in people living in disaster conditions or lost hikers exposed to extreme weather. Whenever possible, the best way to prevent this condition is to be prepared. Aid workers in disaster areas, especially flood areas, need to wear well-sealed rubber boots and rotate socks frequently to prevent socks from becoming soaked with sweat. Survivors of disasters and lost hikers need to make ever effort to keep feet dry and warm.

When feet are immersed in water for an extended period of time, a condition known as trench foot may develop.
When feet are immersed in water for an extended period of time, a condition known as trench foot may develop.

A person in danger of developing immersion foot should first dry their feet, socks, and shoes and try to avoid getting the feet wet again. If this is not possible, he should rotate socks and shoes so that the feet are not exposed to a cold, wet environment for long periods of time. A person at risk for developing trench foot should also clean and dry the feet thoroughly before sleeping. When sleeping he should either wear dry socks, wrap the feet in dry clothes, or not wear any socks at all. During the night, every effort should be made to dry the socks and shoes that will be worn the next day.

Periodically changing into dry socks may help prevent the development of trench foot.
Periodically changing into dry socks may help prevent the development of trench foot.

If a person begins to develop this condition, he or she should get medical help immediately. Medical treatment will be to thoroughly clean and dry the feet. Warm compresses will then be applied to the damaged feet to encourage blood flow. Any infected blisters or ulcers should be treated by a doctor to prevent the spread of infection.

On rare occasions, people with hyperhidrosis, or overactive sweat glands, can suffer from mild trench foot. Excessive sweating of the feet can cause socks to become soaked so that the foot is kept constantly wet. This problem is typically treated by changing socks frequently during the day, wearing special socks that pull the moisture away from the skin, or wearing sandals without socks whenever possible to allow the sweat to evaporate.

Discussion Comments

ddljohn

@feruze-- No problem. Since I know what my brother goes through to prevent trench feet, I understand what you're going through as well.

Just do your best to keep it dry. I highly suggest carrying an extra pair of shoes with you in winter. And try to use natural leather shoes because these are really good at soaking moisture. Stay away from socks and shoes made from synthetic materials. They are your enemy.

I'm not sure if my brother uses them or not, but I imagine foot powder might be a good way to soak up extra moisture in the foot.

But I guess the best treatment for you is to have your hyperhidrosis treated. Are you being treated for it?

bear78

@ddljohn-- Thanks for those tips. I hadn't heard of potassium permanganate before. I will look into it.

I'm not engaging in anything physically that causes my feet to stay wet. My problem is overactive sweat glands. In the summer, I don't have much problems because it's warm and I wear open shoes. But in the winter, it's a major problem.

The issue is that my feet get very numb in the cold. So I don't even realize how long they've been wet. I try to remove my shoes often to check, but I'm so scared that I'm going to get gangrene one day.

ddljohn

My brother came close to developing trench foot a couple of times. He's a hiker and he hikes in mountainous areas that are usually cold. So even if his feet don't get wet from rain or snow, the cold and damp sweat that remains on his feet while hiking is a problem.

He has learned how to treat and care for his feet to avoid foot problems though. One thing he does a lot is hot water foot soaks. He puts a little bit of something called potassium permanganate in the soak. I think this is some kind of oxidant. My brother says that along with the hot water, it improves circulation in his feet and also prevents infections.

After the soak, he will dry his feet thoroughly and usually wear a pair of cotton socks and wool socks on top. The cotton socks absorb moisture and wool creates heat. He does this the day he returns home, usually before going to bed.

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    • When feet are immersed in water for an extended period of time, a condition known as trench foot may develop.
      By: nikkytok
      When feet are immersed in water for an extended period of time, a condition known as trench foot may develop.
    • Periodically changing into dry socks may help prevent the development of trench foot.
      By: indigolotos
      Periodically changing into dry socks may help prevent the development of trench foot.
    • World War I soldiers often suffered from trench foot due to having to fight in water-filled trenches.
      By: Sergey Kamshylin
      World War I soldiers often suffered from trench foot due to having to fight in water-filled trenches.
    • Hikers exposed to extreme weather may develop trench foot.
      By: Maygutyak
      Hikers exposed to extreme weather may develop trench foot.
    • Warm compresses applied to damaged feet can encourage blood flow.
      By: fotomatrix
      Warm compresses applied to damaged feet can encourage blood flow.