Cold-weather warfare
Trench foot is a medical condition caused by prolonged exposure of the feet to damp, unsanitary, and cold conditions at temperatures as warm as for as few as 13 hours. Exposure to these environmental conditions causes deterioration and destruction of the capillaries and leads to morbidity of the surrounding flesh. Affected feet may become numb, affected by erythema (turning red) or cyanosis (turning blue) as a result of poor blood supply, and may begin emanating a decaying odour if the early stages of necrosis (tissue death) set in. As the condition worsens, feet may also begin to swell. Advanced trench foot often involves blisters and open sores, which lead to fungal infections. If left untreated, trench foot usually results in gangrene, which may require amputation. If trench foot is treated properly, complete recovery is normal, though it is marked by severe short-term pain when feeling returns. Trench foot affected tens of thousands of soldiers engaged in trench warfare in World War I. Keeping feet warm and dry, or at least changing into warm and dry replacement footgear, is the best way to avoid trench foot.
Surgical treatment of ingrown toenails
If the nail becomes ingrown again after a wedge resection, more invasive surgery may be needed, although this rather drastic measure may not be necessary: less invasive repeat treatments such as destruction of the nail bed, should be considered. This surgery takes longer than the minor wedge resection. The toe is torniqued and incisions made from the front of the toe to around 1 cm behind the rear of the visible part of the nail. These incisions are quite deep and will require stitching and will also scar. The nail will then be cut out, much like a wedge resection and the nail bed will be broken to prevent regrowth. The nail will be significantly narrower and may appear visibly deformed but will not become ingrown again. Note: if undertaking this surgery it is advisable to rest for at least four days before resuming regular walking as even with painkillers this can be very very painful. If one's work requires standing up for extended periods of time, arrangements for time-off may be necessary for up to two weeks.