Advanced trench foot often involves blisters and open sores, which lead to fungal infections; this is sometimes called tropical ulcer (jungle rot).

If trench foot is treated properly, complete recovery is normal, though it is marked by severe short-term pain when feeling returns.

[3]: 27 Warm water immersion foot is a skin condition of the feet that results after exposure to warm, wet conditions for 48 hours or more and is characterized by maceration ("pruning"), blanching, and wrinkling of the soles, padding of toes (especially the big toe) and padding of the sides of the feet.

The heels, sides and bony prominences are left with large areas of extremely sensitive, red tissue, exposed and prone to infection.

As the condition worsens, more blisters develop due to prolonged dampness which eventually covers the entire heel and/or other large, padded sections of the foot, especially the undersides as well as toes.

Fungus and bacterial infections prosper in the warm, dark, wet conditions and are characterized by a sickly odor that is distinct to foot immersion.