Dozens of dermatologists have treated hundreds of Israeli soldiers suffering from severe foot infections, a result of months of warfare and weeks of operational activity in the current conflict on Gaza, without proper foot ventilation.
The Jerusalem Post, which reported the news, commented that the military boot is well-sealed, adapting to field conditions, and its primary aim is to protect the foot from bruises. However, it fails to provide any form of ventilation whatsoever. Soldiers are sometimes compelled to wear the same pair of boots for several days, and in some cases, for two weeks or more.
The paper added that this environment creates a “local climate” of high heat and humidity, leading to the proliferation of a vast number of bacteria and fungi, which cause infections.
The most common infection among the soldiers is keratolysis, characterized by a strong foul odor, itching, and the formation of grooves and peeling on the feet, sometimes resulting in bleeding.
The soldiers with these infections receive oral antibiotics and topical treatments for their feet.
The paper also mentioned that soldiers suffer from the development of ingrown toenails, a condition that causes severe pain and difficulty in continuing operational activities. In some cases, soldiers are referred for surgical procedures to remove or lift the invading part, accompanied by antibiotic treatment.
In this context, Dr. Itay Sharity, a dermatologist at Meir Medical Center, stated, “The impact of the military boot leads to excessive sweating, thereby increasing the rate of bacterial and fungal growth on the foot under combat conditions.”
Over time, physical strain and uncomfortable footwear also contribute to toenails growing into the skin. The body recognizes the nail as a foreign object, causing a very painful inflammatory process that could develop into an infection.
Sharity urged physicians to ensure that soldiers are treated promptly at the first signs of infection before it spreads and leads to foot damage, pain, and complications, and before the infection becomes severe and dangerous.
