What are the symptoms of trench foot?
Trench foot looks and feels different as the disease develops.
The first symptoms of trench foot include tingling and itching which can progress to numbness. Your feet may feel prickly or heavy, like blocks of wood. Because of this, you may have difficulty walking. Your feet may be bright red. But they’ll soon turn pale, clammy and white as your blood vessels narrow.
Once you’re out of the cold, the skin of your feet will start to change color. If your skin is lighter, it may look blue or purple due to poor blood flow. If you’re darker skinned, the discoloration won’t be as noticeable. Your skin may be cold and blotchy. In addition, you may develop swelling. In severe cases, your feet can almost double in size.
As your feet rewarm, they may become bright red again. You may experience extreme pain or an abnormal sensation as blood flow returns to your feet. You may also develop blisters and holes or open sores on your feet, which can lead to fungal and bacterial infections. Your skin may become overly sensitive to changes in temperature and the lightest touch.
What causes trench foot?
You get trench foot by standing in wet, cold conditions for an extended period of time. The temperature doesn’t have to be freezing. Trench foot can develop in temperatures up to 60°F (16°C).
When cold temperatures and moisture combine, small blood vessels (capillaries) in your feet can start to weaken. This can lead to damage of the surrounding tissue. In addition, restricted blood flow affects your circulation and nerve function.
Excessively sweaty feet (hyperhidrosis) can also cause trench foot.
How long does it take to get trench foot?
Most cases of trench foot require exposure to cold, wet conditions for one to three days. But you can get trench foot in as little as 10 to 14 hours.
