Trench foot is a critical condition in the foot that isn't common these days which is a result of your feet getting kept damp for extended time periods. In times past, trench foot initially obtained notoriety throughout the first World War whenever members of the military got the trench foot through fighting in cold, damp environments in trenches. It has been determined that more than 75,000 United Kingdom soldiers perished in that world war due to the difficulties from this condition. Since that time, the need for soldiers battling in the trenches to keep their feet as dry as possible to counteract the condition is well-known. Trench foot can happen nowadays in activities in which the foot is wet for extented amounts of time, such as trekking in damp circumstances for several days.
The appearance of the foot with trench foot involves blisters, a spotty and wrinkly look and feel with the skin along with a redness. The symptoms include coldness, a heaviness sensation, pins and needles, it might be painful when exposed to warmth, chronic itching, along with a pins and needles feeling. Usually the whole feet are affected, but sometimes it could be only a part of the foot.
Trench foot is undoubtedly due to feet that become moist and remain wet and don't get dried off properly. Even though cold weather can be a factor, it's the wetness which is important. When the trench foot is not treated quickly it can result in problems including the requirement for an amputation, acute blisters, a painful foot, gangrene and ulcers, and long-term sensory damage. Trench foot is easy to diagnose depending on the look of the foot and the history of dampness.
Since health professionals have understood a little more about the character of trench foot the treatment has improved. During the world war, trench foot was initially helped by bed rest and foot washes made from lead and also opium. As the symptoms got better, rubs and plant-based natural oils had been used. In the event the symptoms of trench foot failed to get better then amputation was occasionally required to avoid an infection and blood circulation issues from spreading to other regions of the body.
The early and minor symptoms of trench foot can be easily self-treated simply by taking off the hosiery and dry and clean your feet totally; applying heat packs to the area can help encourage the circulation; and do not wear hosiery to bed. The foot needs to be examined very carefully for the development of any problems. In the event that this strategy does not settle swiftly or if the signs and symptoms tend to be more serious, then a trip to a health professional is justified. Even more rest and elevation of the leg is often advised. The quality of the blood circulation must be evaluated and if it's not necessarily enough then steps need to be taken to deal with this. Medicine could also be needed to help with pain if that's a concern. When found early, trench foot is very easily treatable without leading to any additional difficulties. Protection against trench foot is essential, and soldiers are very well knowledgeable in that. Your feet should be kept dry and possessing an extra pair of socks handy is an excellent solution.