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Nonfreezing Cold Injury (Trench Foot)

Author

Listed:
  • Ken Zafren

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Alaska Native Medical Center, 4315 Diplomacy Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
    Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, 900 Welch Road, Suite 340, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
    International Commission for Mountain Emergency Medicine (ICAR MedCom), 8058 Zürich, Switzerland)

Abstract

Nonfreezing cold injury (NFCI) is a modern term for trench foot or immersion foot. Moisture is required to produce a NFCI. NFCI seldom, if ever, results in loss of tissue unless there is also pressure necrosis or infection. Much of the published material regarding management of NFCIs has been erroneously borrowed from the literature on warm water immersion injuries. NFCI is a clinical diagnosis. Most patients with NFCI have a history of losing feeling for at least 30 min and having pain or abnormal sensation on rewarming. Limbs with NFCI usually pass through four ‘stages.’ cold exposure, post-exposure (prehyperaemic), hyperaemic, and posthyperaemic. Limbs with NFCI should be cooled gradually and kept cool. Amitriptyline is likely the most effective medication for pain relief. If prolonged exposure to wet, cold conditions cannot be avoided, the most effective measures to prevent NFCI are to stay active, wear adequate clothing, stay well-nourished, and change into dry socks at least daily.

Suggested Citation

  • Ken Zafren, 2021. "Nonfreezing Cold Injury (Trench Foot)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-9, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10482-:d:650453
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    Cited by:

    1. Peter Paal & Mathieu Pasquier & Tomasz Darocha & Raimund Lechner & Sylweriusz Kosinski & Bernd Wallner & Ken Zafren & Hermann Brugger, 2022. "Accidental Hypothermia: 2021 Update," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-25, January.

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