Trench foot, also called immersion foot, is a skin lesion caused by prolonged exposure to humid cold (0-15°C/30 - 60ºF).
It generally affects the feet, which are pale, moist, cold, numb and with altered sensation and "clumsy and difficult to walk". Once the cold environment is removed and with overheating, there is a stage of swelling, redness and intense pain. There is hypersensitivity to pressure and temperature changes. Blisters, ulcers, suppuration and in severe cases, gangrene may appear. Pain may be chronically sustained in response to cold and may be accompanied by increased sweating.
It can be prevented by wearing loose-fitting shoes, keeping shoes and feet dry and frequently changing socks.
Treatment consists of washing the feet if they are dirty, soaking them in warm water and drying them carefully (without rubbing or massaging or exposing them to intense heat).
- Adnot J, Lewis CW. Immersion foot syndrome. In: Medical Aspects of Harsh Environments, Pandolf KB, Burr RE (Eds), Borden Institute, Washington, DC 2001.
- Thomas JR, Oakley HN. Nonfreezing cold injury. In: Medical Aspects of Harsh Environments, Pandolf KB, Burr RE (Eds), Washington, DC 2001. p.467
- Francis TJ. Non freezing cold injury: a historical review. J R Nav Med Serv 1984; 70:134.
- Knight BW. "Trench foot" in civilians. Br Med J 1940; 1.
