Is trench foot gangrene?

If trench foot is left untreated, it can lead to gangrene and even the need for amputation. Cases of trench foot are categorized into one of the four following stages: Stage 1 – injury stage: The blood flow is restricted, and the tissue is cold and numb. The limb may be red or white, and there is no pain.
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What is a trench foot?

Trench foot, also known as immersion foot, occurs when the feet are wet for long periods of time. It can be quite painful, but it can be prevented and treated.
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What type of infection is trench foot?

Advanced trench foot often involves blisters and open sores, which lead to fungal infections; this is sometimes called jungle rot.
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Can trench foot lead to amputation?

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.
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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.
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Infections - WW1 Uncut - BBC



Is trench foot serious?

Trench foot, or immersion foot syndrome, is a serious condition that results from your feet being wet for too long. The condition first became known during World War I, when soldiers got trench foot from fighting in cold, wet conditions in trenches without the extra socks or boots to help keep their feet dry.
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What is the fastest way to cure trench foot?

How Do You Treat Trench Feet?
  1. Good Foot Hygiene: Thoroughly clean and dry the feet. ...
  2. Warm The Feet: Gently re-warm the feet to improve circulation. ...
  3. Potassium Permanganate Foot Bath: can help draw fluid out of the affected area.
  4. Amputation: in severe cases were gangrene has set in, amputation is required.
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What are the stages of trench foot?

Trench foot is a painful condition that occurs when you stand in cold water for long periods of time. It comes in four stages: injury, immediate post-injury, hyperaemic phase, and post-hyperaemic phase. Those at risk of trench foot are mostly in the military, agriculture, or are homeless.
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Why do the bottom of my feet turn white when wet?

Well, what you have is pitted keratolysis. It is a bacterial infection caused by damp, warm conditions. It is common on the feet because they are stuck in shoes and socks, so sweat cannot evaporate.
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What did they smell in ww1?

The stink of war

Then there was the smell. Stinking mud mingled with rotting corpses, lingering gas, open latrines, wet clothes and unwashed bodies to produce an overpowering stench. The main latrines were located behind the lines, but front-line soldiers had to dig small waste pits in their own trenches.
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Is trench foot a bacteria?

Trench foot first appeared in the winter of 1914 and became a serious threat to men in the trenches. The opinion emerged that trench foot was caused by circulatory changes in the foot due to cold, wet and pressure and not due to a microbial cause.
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What is trench foot caused by?

Trench foot is caused by prolonged exposure to a cold temperature that is usually above freezing and damp, sometimes unsanitary conditions. The condition ultimately causes skin and tissue breakdown which increases the risk of infection and increases associated morbidity and mortality.
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How do doctors treat Trenchfoot?

There are a few common ways that doctors treat trench foot: Warming the feet with heated pads or warm water. Physical therapy to bring circulation back to the feet. Cleaning and disinfecting the feet with antifungal agents.
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Can foot rot be cured?

Fortunately for most people, foot rot is easily managed and curable with home remedies and over-the-counter medication once symptoms are recognised.
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Why do I have lines on my feet?

Being in water — whether it's a bath tub, shower, hot tub, or pool — for an extended amount of time is a common cause of wrinkled feet and fingers. This form of wrinkled feet and fingers is a temporary condition that typically goes away once you're out of the water and your skin has dried.
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What causes split skin under toes?

Dry or moist feet is the most common factor behind this problem. Wrong size shoe or rough shoe is another common reason behind toe splits. Apart from these, various reasons cause itching, redness, and peeling of toe skins. Splits or cracks between or under the toe skins need proper care and treatment.
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What happens if your feet stay wet for too long?

When water seeps through your footwear, your skin absorbs the water causing your feet to become waterlogged, wrinkly and even smell. YUCK! The longer your feet are wet, the greater the damage to your skin, including tears and the formation of blisters and deep painful cracks.
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What happens if you wear socks for too long?

Increased risk of skin infection

Wearing socks made out of nylon or other material that doesn't suit the skin can increase the risk of infection if worn for a very long time.
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How do you get rid of dead skin on the bottom of your feet?

They can do this by following the steps below:
  1. Soak the feet in warm water to soften the dead skin.
  2. Wet the pumice stone or foot file with warm water.
  3. Gently rub the pumice stone or foot file over the dead skin or callus. ...
  4. Rinse the dead skin off the feet. ...
  5. Pat the feet dry with a clean towel.
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What were three things that men did to try to avoid trench foot?

The only remedy for trench foot was for the soldiers to dry their feet and change their socks several times a day. By the end of 1915 British soldiers in the trenches had to have three pairs of socks with them and were under orders to change their socks at least twice a day.
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What does jungle rot look like on feet?

Jungle Rot is another slang term for a similar foot immersion condition that was prevalent in the Vietnam War. Basically, the foot, feet or toes affected turn numb and either red or blue from the decreased vascular blood flow. Then the gross stuff starts to happen.
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What were the chief symptoms of trench fever?

Trench fever or quintana fever (5-day fever) is a recurrent fever among non-immunocompromised individuals. Fever episodes lasting for one to five days are associated with nonspecific and varying symptoms such as severe headache, tenderness or pain in the shin, weakness, anorexia or abdominal pain.
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Do your feet need to breathe?

Let Your Feet Breathe

Otherwise, the sweat and dirt that build up in your shoes during the day — yes, your feet sweat, even if you always wear cotton socks — will continue to wear on your feet after hours.
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Why does my foot feel like it has water in it?

Edema occurs when fluid builds up in your tissues, often in your feet, legs and ankles. Edema can affect anyone, especially people who are pregnant and adults age 65 and older. Treatment involves lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise.
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Why do my feet feel like I stepped in water?

Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition seen often in the podiatry clinic. Many people experience sensations in their feet like burning and tingling.; Some people have described that they feel like they are walking in a wet sock, but when they check, their socks are not wet.
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