Trench foot
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Trench foot (also known as 'Immersion Foot' or 'Chillblains') is a medical condition caused by prolonged exposure of the feet to damp and cold. It was a particular problem for soldiers engaged in trench warfare during the winter months of World War I, and also during the Vietnam conflict.
Trench foot occurs when feet are cold and damp while wearing constricting footwear. Unlike frostbite, trench foot does not require freezing temperatures and can occur in temperatures up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (about 16 degrees Celsius). Trench foot can occur with only 12 hours of exposure. When affected by trench foot, the feet become numb, followed by a change in color to red or blue. As the condition worsens, the feet may swell. Advanced trench foot often involves blisters and open sores, which lead to fungal infections. In such cases trench foot is also known as 'jungle rot'. If left untreated, trench foot usually results in gangrene and then requires amputation. If treated properly and quickly, complete recovery is normal, but recovery is marked by severe short-term pain as feeling returns.
Trench foot is easily prevented by keeping the feet warm and dry, and changing socks frequently when the feet cannot be kept dry. British soldiers in World War I were advised to keep multiple pairs of clean socks on hand, and change them at least three times daily.