[pct-l] Trench Foot / Foot Fungus

[Barry Teschlog]

Interesting that folks have issues.  Trench foot or immersion foot shouldn't be an issue on the PCT if you're taking proper hygiene steps.  It's not rocket science....take off your wet socks and dry your feet every day and at every opportunity.  This should be part of everyone's routine just like proper sanitation after using a cat hole.

I hiked the high snow year of '06 so know what it's like splashing through wet, snowy, stream filled trail - 12 days straight through to VVR from KM on miles of snow, with crossing after crossing after creek crossing.  As I hiked down into Touloumne, I recall it was more or less like splashing down a creek for miles - the runoff was copious.  I was on significant snow every day until a day south of Sierra City when the snow finally had melted out.  That was roughly from June 18 to about July 17 - so almost a full month of dealing with snow and super wet conditions.  Every night and I mean EVERY NIGHT, you need to take the wet socks off and if necessary (that is, if you don't have a dry pair of socks to sleep in), sleep with bare feet so your feet get a chance to dry out for the 8 or so hours you're in your sleeping bag. If you can't stand to sleep in bare feet, reserve a pair of clean dry socks that are for sleeping in only.
When you get the chance during the day, say at lunch, take off the shoes and socks and air out your stinky feet - let some sun shine on them.  Even in a snowy Sierra, there are plenty of sunny spots with bare rocks to sit on.  You're going to take 15-30 minutes for lunch anyways - take off those shoes and socks first thing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trench_foot
"Trench foot can be prevented by keeping the feet clean, warm, and dry. It was also discovered in World War I that a key preventive measure was regular foot inspections. Soldiers would be paired and each made responsible for the feet of the other. They would generally apply whale oil to prevent trench foot. If left to their own devices, soldiers might neglect to take off their own boots and socks to dry their feet each day, but if it were the responsibility of another this became less likely"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immersion_foot_syndromesWarm Water Immersion Foot
"Foot immersion is a common problem with homeless individuals wearing one pair of socks and shoes for extensive periods of time, especially wet shoes and sneakers from rain and snow. The condition is exacerbated by excessive dampness of the feet for prolonged periods of time. Fungus and bacterial infections prosper in the warm, dark, wet conditions and are characterized by a sickly odor that is distinct to foot immersion."