Trench Foot: How to Handle it Before it Takes Over

trench foot symptoms

For those of you frequenting the outdoors and treading in wet areas, trench foot can become a problem. Luckily, avoiding it is pretty simple. These helpful tips can help you be on your way in no time. Don't let trench foot become an issue!

How can you prevent trench foot?

The key to preventing trench foot is simple in theory. Keep your feet dry. The hard part is doing this as a habit and may be even more difficult if you are on the run or being pursued. Here are a few tips you can employ to help you.

• Keep your feet dry and clean – Easier said than done. When you are hot, your feet sweat. When you have to cross water, your feet get wet or if you are forced to hike through rain, snow or wet grass. Assume your feet will get wet, but you can buy footwear and socks that help that condition. You can purchase waterproof boots and moisture wicking socks. When you stop, make sure you take your socks off and check your feet. If your socks are wet, allow your feet to dry Use foot powder if you have it and treat any blisters before they get worse.

• Change your socks often – This simple act could do more good than almost anything else. Put on dry (a different pair) socks when you stop to take a break. You can hang the wet ones on your pack to dry out. Some people recommend two pairs, but I would say three are better so you can hopefully clean one pair too. Roll your socks inside out so you can keep up with what has been worn.

• Let feet air out – Allow your feet to breathe and dry as long as possible especially if you are experiencing symptoms. Lying down will help with circulation. Again, if you are in a pursuit/combat situation, you don’t want to go to sleep with your shoes off, but for the rest of us, keeping your feet dry and healthy is easier than dealing with injury and infection. If the weather is very cold, you will have to adjust this, because you don’t want frostbite either

Although these tips are pretty obvious, many often forget to check for trench foot. If not treated right away, it can lead to a variety of other infections that will just be no fun to deal with.

For more information on trench foot and how to avoid it, visit US Crisis Preppers.

Featured Image via US Crisis Preppers


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112 Comments

  1. Chad Ford said:

    Go bare footed ,and walk on some coals to harden your feet

  2. Lance Sharples said:

    David Schneider, when I first saw this I thought oh no, he needs to wear sandals!

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