Trench foot, sometimes also called diving foot, develops when the extremities are exposed to cold, dirty water for long periods (many hours or days). This term was introduced during the First World War, when hundreds of soldiers developed this painful syndrome during fighting in the trenches. The disorder is characterized by swelling, numbness and pain in the feet, as well as possible tissue death and gangrene, which can be life-threatening. This disease is still found today in war areas around the world, in areas where natural disasters have occurred and as a result of outdoor events hit by torrential rains or floods; however, it is quite simple to prevent and treat it.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Treatments
Step 1. Check the symptoms
Trench foot develops when the feet are wet for long periods, for example by wearing wet socks and shoes or staying in water or mud for a long time. If you start experiencing symptoms, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible. among the main ones you can observe:
- Tingling or itching
- Ache;
- Swelling;
- Cold, mottled skin
- Numbness, heaviness, or stinging sensation
- Redness and warmth;
- Dry skin;
- Blisters with subsequent tissue death (last stage).
Step 2. Wash and dry your feet often
Although the name was given to the disease over a hundred years ago and may evoke a problem from the past, the syndrome can actually develop even nowadays in people who spend many hours in the cold and wet. One of the most effective ways to treat the condition is to keep your feet dry and clean. If you have to spend many hours in the water, try to wash and dry your feet as often as possible and change your socks to dry ones as needed.
- The disorder results from constriction of the blood vessels of the extremities in an attempt to maintain heat in the rest of the body, consequently reducing the amount of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues.
- Without an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients, the tissues of the feet swell and can even die; also, in the presence of cuts or scratches, the bacteria found in the water can cause an infection.
- If you have abrasions, apply antibacterial ointment or an alcohol-based sanitizer after drying them, but before putting your socks and / or shoes back on.
Step 3. Warm them up
If you have kept your feet in cold water for hours, not only is it important to dry them, but you also need to warm them gradually. The heat dilates the blood vessels and increases circulation to the area, stopping the progression of the disorder. Apply warm compresses or soak the ends in hot water for about 5-10 minutes. resist the temptation to expose them to excessive temperatures, as this could burn them and aggravate the situation.
- If you take a hot bath, add a solution of potassium permanganate (which you can find at the pharmacy) to the water; it can help to drain fluids from swollen tissues.
- The trench foot is quite similar to chilblains, although the water does not need to reach freezing temperatures to trigger the syndrome; it can form when the temperature is 15 ° C and also when you are indoors.
- It can develop in less than a day (even in 12 hours).
Step 4. Take off your socks when you sleep or rest
Once your feet have warmed up, it is important to leave them without socks at first when you rest and sleep. It might seem like a contradiction when you have cold feet, but wearing tight socks can reduce blood circulation and aggravate the situation. After a few days of convalescence, you can put on comfortable socks made of breathable material, such as cotton.
- To keep your feet warm while you rest, cover them with a wool blanket instead of wearing socks.
- Do not keep them raised when sitting on the sofa, as this may prevent normal blood circulation in the lower limbs and feet.
- When you go to bed at night, add another blanket at the end of the bed to keep them warm; also, do not cross your legs as this may slow down the circulation.
Step 5. Consider taking over-the-counter medications
The trench foot is characterized by pain and swelling of the tissues, symptoms that can become quite severe. The disorder can affect the toes, the heel or the whole foot, depending on the part that remains exposed to water and for how long; therefore, drugs such as anti-inflammatories can combat these discomforts. Among the most common and effective free sale ones for this purpose are ibuprofen (Brufen) and naproxen (Momendol).
- Anti-inflammatories work best and are safer when taken for short periods (less than weeks).
- Once the disease develops, it takes a few weeks or several months for it to recover completely, depending on the severity and general health of the person.
Step 6. Deal with any signs of infection promptly
The main symptoms of trench foot (pain, swelling, blistering, discolouration) are not usually due to an infection, although staying in water contaminated with faecal bacteria increases the risk, especially if you have cuts. scratches or abrasions. Other signs of infection that you need to look out for include bleeding and bloody discharge, red and / or white streaks from the feet, foul odor, and moderate fever.
- If blisters form due to the disease, the chances of infection increase significantly.
- If you are at risk of developing trench foot, apply antibiotic ointment or disinfectant lotion to cuts or wounds as soon as possible.
- Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infections or even a tetanus vaccine if you haven't had boosters.
Step 7. Go to the emergency room if your feet turn dark blue, green or black
Greenish-black skin can indicate tissue death due to insufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients for an extended period. Tissue death (also called necrosis) can quickly lead to gangrene, an emergency complication that requires antibiotics and possibly surgery as well.
- In addition to the change in skin color, other signs of gangrene are: further swelling, severe pain with subsequent loss of sensation, peeling of the skin, foul-smelling discharge and deformed fingers.
- In severe cases it is sometimes necessary to amputate the foot and lower leg.
Part 2 of 2: Prevention
Step 1. Do not stay in cold or ice water for long periods
It is rare to be exposed to cold water for very long, but certain jobs and hobbies (such as fly fishing or attending outdoor concerts) greatly increase the risk of developing trench foot. Check your watch and remember that this disorder can develop in just over 12 hours under certain circumstances; if possible, make sure you are back on dry ground within this time frame.
- If your duties involve staying in the water, take breaks every few hours; this is particularly important for people working in the emergency rescue and recovery industry, as well as for the military.
- Staying in hot, unhealthy water for many hours is also harmful and causes another type of diving foot; it is therefore important to keep your feet dry regardless of the water temperature.
Step 2. Make sure the socks are dry and clean
If your job or situation requires you to spend a lot of time standing in water or wet conditions, you should check or monitor your socks regularly to prevent them from getting wet. If this happens, you need to replace them with a clean, dry pair to avoid or at least reduce the chances of developing the syndrome. If you are at work or need to walk or stand in damp or wet environments, bring an extra pair of socks with you, just in case.
- In these situations, use polypropylene socks, which are made specifically to protect the feet from moisture.
- Those of natural fibers, such as cotton and wool, are better in preventing trench foot than those of synthetic material.
Step 3. Wear waterproof shoes that fit properly
In addition to the right socks, you also need to find appropriate footwear if you plan to face wet or humid situations. Ideally, you should use waterproof boots that are higher than the level of the ankles, but regardless of which model you choose, make sure they fit well on your foot, that they are neither too tight nor too loose. Choose footwear made from treated leather and avoid shoes made from synthetic materials, such as rubber or vinyl. Leather is much more expensive, but it wicks away moisture while ensuring proper foot perspiration.
- Depending on the situation, it may be more appropriate to change shoes several times a day and let the wet ones dry overnight.
- Rubber boots and gaiters are great when you have to spend several hours in the water (for fly fishing for example), but even then, spending too much time in the water can cause trench footing, especially if the plastic material does not have an internal insulating coating.
Step 4. Apply petroleum jelly or talcum powder
An old trick used by soldiers during the First World War to prevent the syndrome was to sprinkle their feet with a lot of whale fat to make them "waterproof" and insulate them from the cold. Currently, it is much easier to smear than petroleum jelly, while still enjoying the same benefits and effects.
- Another "trick" to keep your feet dry is to sprinkle them with talcum powder that absorbs moisture instead of repelling it.
- Talc is particularly suitable for people who tend to sweat a lot; excessive sweating can also be controlled with drying agents, such as aluminum chloride.
Advice
- Trench foot is most common among construction workers, security guards, civil defense volunteers, campers, amateur extreme sports athletes, and individuals attending outdoor music festivals.
- People who eat poorly or sleep poorly are more prone to the disorder.
- Since nicotine in cigarettes (and other tobacco products) impairs blood circulation, do not smoke while recovering from the syndrome.
