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.
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.
If blisters form with trench foot, the likelihood of infection developing is significantly increased. If you notice any signs of infection on your feet, or if the tissue doesn’t look normal, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. [11] X Expert Source Neal Blitz, DPM, FACFASBoard Certified Podiatrist Expert Interview. 22 April 2020. Your doctor may give you antibiotics to prevent infection or even a tetanus booster if your vaccination record isn’t current.
In addition to dark discoloration, other signs of gangrene include: further swelling, severe pain then a loss of sensation, peeling away of skin, foul-smelling discharge and disfigurement of toes. In severe cases of trench foot where gangrene has set in, foot and lower leg amputation is usually required.
Take breaks from your job every few hours if it requires you to stand in water. Standing in warm, unsanitary water for many hours is also problematic and causes another type of immersion foot, so keeping your feet dry is important regardless of the temperature.
For wet conditions, use polypropylene sock liners, which are specially designed to draw moisture away from your feet. Socks made out of natural fibers, such as cotton and wool, tend to be better for preventing trench foot than artificial materials.
Depending on your situation, it may be best to change your footwear a few times daily and let the wet pair dry out overnight. Rubber boots and gators are great for spending a few hours standing in the water (for fly fishing, for example), but can help trigger trench foot after many hours, especially if the rubber doesn’t have an insulating inner lining.
Another method of keeping feet dry is to sprinkle some talcum powder on them, which helps absorb the moisture instead of repelling it. Talcum powder is especially recommended for people who tend to sweat more. Excessive perspiration can also be controlled by applying drying agents, such as aluminum chloride.
Trench foot can take less than a day of water exposure (as few as 12 hours) to develop. While trench foot typically happens in wet conditions, it can also happen in dry climates if the temperature stays between 30 and 40 °F (−1 and 4 °C).
Severe cases of trench foot may require medical care. If your feet get infected or develop blisters, seek medical care. Your doctor will assess your symptoms and decide the best course of treatment for you. [20] X Research source
