From the Research
Treatment for Trench Foot
The treatment for Trench foot, a non-freezing cold injury, is not well-established, but several options have been proposed:
- Vasodilators such as iloprost and nicotinyl tartrate or sympathectomy may help 1
- Amitriptyline is likely the most effective medication for pain relief 2
- Limbs with Trench foot should be cooled gradually and kept cool 2
- Prevention measures, such as staying active, wearing adequate clothing, staying well-nourished, and changing into dry socks at least daily, can help reduce the risk of Trench foot 2
Management and Prevention
The management of Trench foot is less clear, but it is known that:
- Trench foot may lead to necrosis, cellulitis, sepsis, and amputation if left untreated 1
- Prevention involves general measures to improve the environment, modification of footwear, and the provision of greases to protect the feet from moisture 3
- Accurate differentiation between Trench foot and frostbite is important, and the presence of finger frostbite, immersion hand, or severe hypothermia may help differentiate between the two conditions 4
Risk Factors
Certain factors can increase the risk of developing Trench foot, including: