What does trench foot look like?

What does trench foot look like?

Symptoms of trench foot include a tingling and/or itching sensation, pain, swelling, cold and blotchy skin, numbness, and a prickly or heavy feeling in the foot. The foot may be red, dry, and painful after it becomes warm. Blisters may form, followed by skin and tissue dying and falling off.

What was trench foot like in WW1?

Trench foot appeared in the winter of 1914, characterized by pedal swelling, numbness, and pain. It was quickly recognized by military-medical authorities. There was little debate over whether it was frostbite or new condition, and it was quickly accepted as a specific disease.

What happens if you got trench foot in WW1?

Feet suffered gravely in the waterlogged trenches, as tight boots, wet conditions and cold caused swelling and pain. Prolonged exposure to damp and cold could lead to gangrene and even amputation of the feet in severe cases. Lice and infrequent changes of clothing added to unhygienic battlefield conditions.

How do I get rid of trench foot at home?

Treatment for trench foot

1. Warm up your feet with heating packs or by soaking your feet in warm water for 5 minutes.
2. Thoroughly dry your feet when they get wet.
3. Change your socks and shoes as soon as they get wet.
4. Change your socks at least once daily, and don’t sleep in your socks.

Can trench foot heal on its own?

You can fully recover if your trench foot is mild and you get treatment right away. You may need to treat your pain for a while though. You might also need physical therapy.

What was built in a trench to prevent trench foot?

It was also discovered in World War I that a key preventive measure was regular foot inspections; soldiers would be paired and each partner made responsible for the feet of the other, and they would generally apply whale oil to prevent trench foot.

How big were the rats in the trenches?

Most soldiers who served on the Western Front would later recall how rats grew in boldness, stealing food that had been lain down for just a few moments. Rats would also crawl across the face of sleeping men. As they gorged themselves on food so they grew, with many rats reportedly growing to the size of cats.