If you have been in cold, wet, harsh conditions for long periods of time your feet may be feeling a little bit funny. They could be red, swollen, cold, discolored, or any other number of things. It is important to keep in mind the possibility of trench foot and how to prevent it.
Know the Symptoms
The first step in prevention is knowing the signs and symptoms. Trench foot can have a combination of the following symptoms:
- Tingling
- Itching
- Loss of feeling in foot
- Pain
- Swelling
- Burning
- Cold blotchy skin
- Numbness
- Gray colored feet
- Blisters
- Skin tissue death
Treatment
If you expect that you are suffering from trench foot, it is important to start treatment right away. First dry and warm your feet. Next, elevate them on a pillow or other soft surface. Wet socks and shoes should be removed or replaced with dry socks and shoes as soon as possible. Keeping dry socks and shoes on helps prevent trench foot entirely. The treatment for trench foot is similar to the treatment of frostbite.
Steps for Treatment
- Clean and dry the foot or feet.
- Avoid any rubber or vinyl material.
- Use leather or cloth due to its superior moisture absorption.
- If socks get wet, change to a dry pair.
- Use baby powder to help wick away moisture.
- Use warm packs for small intervals of time to help warm the feet.
- When sleeping, make sure to take off socks.
- Get medical attention from a podiatrist such as Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico of Syracuse Podiatry, located in Fayetteville, New York.
If the affected feet have wounds, it is likely that they will become infected. Be sure to check the feet every day to see if symptoms are worsening. If feet are sweating severely after the healing process has taken place, corrective surgery can be used to help ease symptoms.
Keep in mind that trench foot is not always from hiking, backpacking, or other similar activities. Sometimes excessive sweat disorders can cause the disease as well.
Did you just come back from a hiking trip and have some of the symptoms listed above? Do you sweat excessively and your feet look red, puffy, or tingle? Call 315-446-3668 or make an appointment online today to see Dr. D’Amico. The staff at Syracuse Podiatry are pledged to improve the quality of life of their patients through the treatment of foot & ankle conditions. Their team is committed to a relationship based on care, commitment, and compassion.