Immersion foot results from prolonged exposure to wet cold at temperatures just above freezing to what temperature?

Immersion foot, also known as trench foot, occurs when feet are immersed in cold water for an extended period, typically when temperatures are just above freezing. The critical temperature range for immersion foot develops in conditions where the water temperature is usually between 32 degrees Fahrenheit and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Prolonged exposure to this cold, wet environment can lead to significant tissue damage due to reduced blood flow and the body’s inability to maintain adequate warmth.

The upper limit of this temperature range, specifically around 50 degrees, is a threshold beyond which the symptoms of immersion foot become more likely to manifest with continuous exposure. At this temperature, the risk increases as the body struggles to regulate temperature properly when feet are submerged in cold water. Thus, the correct identification of 50 degrees aligns with the conditions under which immersion foot typically occurs.