Approximately how many British and American soldiers developed trench foot in WWI?

While many men were lost in WWI due to physical injuries and death, others suffered from diseases which arose from poor living conditions, food shortages, and a lack of personal hygiene in the trenches. One of the common diseases in WWI was trench foot. It could occur with as little as 12 to13 hours exposure to unsanitary conditions.

The number of cases of trench foot rose to over 75,000 in the British Army and 2,000 American forces, but improvements in the quality of soldiers’ boots significantly reduced those numbers towards the end of the war.

Trench foot is a medical condition caused by prolonged exposure of the feet to damp, unsanitary and cold conditions. The word trench in the name is a reference to trench warfare, mainly associated with WWI.

Affected feet may become numb, turn red or blue as a result of poor blood supply and may begin emanating a decaying odor if the early stages of tissue death sets in. As the condition worsens, feet may also begin to swell. Advanced trench foot often blisters and opens sores, which lead to fungal infections. If left untreated, it usually results in gangrene, which may require amputation. If treated properly, complete recovery is normal, although it is marked by severe short-term pain when feeling returns.

Trench foot was first documented by Napoleon’s (1769-1821) army in 1812. It became prevalent during the retreat from Russia and was first described by the French army surgeon Dominique Jean Larry (1766-1842).