HEALTH AND SAFETY 27
climates. The issue is how wet your feet get, and not necessarily how cold they are( unlike frostbite).
Standing in wet socks and shoes for a long period of time tends to make it worse compared to other activities, such as swimming with water shoes. With prolonged cold and wetness, your feet can lose circulation and nerve function. They are deprived of the oxygen and nutrients that your blood normally provides. Sometimes the loss of nerve function can bring about other symptoms, such as pain, which is less noticeable.
With trench foot, you’ ll notice some visible changes to your feet, such as:
• Blisters
• Blotchy skin
• Redness
• Skin tissue that dies and falls off
Additionally, trench foot can cause the following sensations in the feet: coldness, heaviness, numbness, pain when exposed to heat, persistent itching, prickliness and tingling.
• An inability to walk on affected foot
• Gangrene, or tissue loss
• Permanent nerve damage
• Ulcers
You may also be more prone to complications if you have any wounds on your feet. While recovering from trench foot, you should be on the lookout for signs of infection, such as swelling or oozing of any wounds.
Stages of trench foot Stage 1: This is also called the injury stage. In this stage, there is restriction of blood flow, and the tissues become numb and cold. There is also discolouration of the affected limb with it turning white or red. The patient does not have any pain in this stage of the condition.
Stage 2: This is the post-injury status. This occurs when the limb is warmed after exposure to severe cold and wet conditions. The colour of the affected foot changes from red to white, but it will be cold and numb. Some people also have swelling.
Over time, trench foot can lead to complications if left untreated. These include:
• Amputations
• Severe blisters
Stage 3: This stage lasts for at least three months. In this stage, the affected foot becomes warm and red and there is dryness of the skin. The patient will experience some numbness and tingling, and in some cases there will also be blisters.
Stage 4: This is a permanent stage in trench foot as it remains for the rest of the life of the individual. The patient will have increased cold sensitivity, pins and needles sensation, and some amount of pain in the affected foot.
What can you do to protect yourself?
• Clean your feet and care for them.
• Wear clean socks and keep an extra pair with you if you are working in wet conditions
• Ensure your shoes are clean and dry
• If you can, alternate pairs of shoes throughout the week. This will also help with other foot related illnesses
• Never wear dirty socks or wet shoes for prolonged periods
• Look after your feet, they carry you everywhere! PA
" Wear proper winter clothing that insulates from the cold and lets perspiration evaporate while protecting from the wind, rain and snow."
May 2025 Volume 31 I Number 03 www. plumbingafrica. co. za