Example Case: Four Days in Waist-Deep Water in Don Sai, 2026, and Feet That Never Dried

Note: a typical scenario based on situations commonly seen in long-lasting floods, not the account of any specific person.

Uncle Somchai lives in a small lane in Don Sai. In early October 2026 the rain did not stop and the water in his soi kept rising, in places above waist height. He stayed to guard his house and his animals. Every day he waded out to collect relief bags at the mouth of the lane and walked through the flooded ground floor carrying things upstairs. His only pair of sandals was wet from morning to night, and the socks he wore to bed never fully dried.

On the third day the skin between his fourth and fifth toes turned white, soggy and flaky. It stung and itched so much that he rubbed it, and soon it cracked into raw red grooves that wept. His feet smelled stronger than ever, small pits appeared on his soles, and leeches that he pulled off his shins left several tiny wounds. What he called "nam kat thao" was really a mix of soaked skin, ringworm fungi, yeast, odour-causing bacteria and, potentially, bacteria able to cause a spreading leg infection.

The Don Sai, Ban Pho Flood of 2026 (B.E. 2569): What the News Reported

According to Daily News, heavy rain fell continuously on 2 to 3 October 2026 (B.E. 2569) across Mueang Chachoengsao and Ban Pho districts. Soi Ban Don Sai-Nong Wiang 1, Moo 2, Don Sai subdistrict, Ban Pho flooded to a depth of more than 1.50 metres. Rescuers used a boat to help an 80-year-old woman who had been trapped in her house for 4 days and moved 18 cats up onto a roof. They also found electricity leaking in front of a house and large numbers of leeches in the water.

Those facts describe exactly the conditions that make foot problems severe: days stuck at home with nowhere dry, water deep enough to wade through at waist level, leeches leaving small wounds, and many animals sharing a small dry space. The electrical leak is the most urgent danger of all. If you see submerged wires or feel a tingle, move away at once, call the electricity authority or rescue services, and never wade near poles or sockets under water.

Nationally, Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) reported, as of 06:00 on 7 October 2026 (B.E. 2569), that the 2026 floods affected 27 provinces plus Bangkok, 123 districts, 984 subdistricts and 1,154,875 households, with more than 3.1 million people affected (published by the Government Public Relations Department).

Sources: Daily News, 2 to 3 Oct 2026 (2569) and PRD (DDPM data, 7 Oct 2026)

What Is "Nam Kat Thao", and Why Do Feet Go Soggy After Wading?

The outer layer of skin is a waterproof barrier. After hours in water, its keratin absorbs moisture, swells and turns white, and it becomes weak enough to tear with the slightest friction from a sandal or a rough floor. At first this is just maceration and irritation. But if feet stay damp, fungi and bacteria from floodwater, mud and our own skin multiply quickly. That is why some people recover in a few days once their feet dry, while others itch for weeks, develop a strong odour, or end up with an infected crack that turns into a red, swollen leg.

A related but more serious condition is immersion foot (trench foot), which develops when feet stay wet and cool for a very long time. Feet become swollen, numb, pale and painful, and the skin damage is deeper. It is not caused by a germ directly, but it makes infection much easier and needs medical care.

Which Germs Cause Soggy, Itchy Toe Webs After a Flood? 12 Culprits

1. Trichophyton rubrum

The commonest cause of chronic athlete's foot (tinea pedis). It produces scaling and itching between the toes and a fine, dry "moccasin" scale across the sole, and can spread into toenails, making them thick and crumbly. Infected flakes collect on bathroom floors, doormats and inside damp shoes.

2. Trichophyton interdigitale

Often behind the acute, inflamed form: white, soggy, cracked toe webs that itch and sting, sometimes with very itchy blisters on the sole. It spreads on wet floors shared barefoot, common when families shed wet shoes and walk barefoot upstairs.

3. Epidermophyton floccosum

A dermatophyte that affects both feet and groin; people in wet trousers and wet shoes all day often get both at once.

4. Microsporum canis

A ringworm fungus carried by cats and dogs and passed to people through contact with fur or skin, causing ring-shaped patches on arms, legs or face, and scalp ringworm in children. When people and pets crowd into a small dry space during a flood, contact increases. If a pet has circular hair loss or scaly skin, consult a vet.

5. Candida albicans

In constantly damp toe webs, Candida produces thick white soggy skin over a bright red, sore base with small satellite spots. It is common in people with diabetes, older adults and anyone wearing rubber boots for hours without airing their feet.

6. Neoscytalidium dimidiatum

A non-dermatophyte mould found in soil and plants in the tropics, including Thailand. It can cause dry scaling on the soles that mimics athlete's foot, and nail infection. Long contact with wet mud raises exposure. Laboratory testing is usually needed to identify it.

7. Pseudomonas aeruginosa

When fungal toe webs are invaded by this water-loving bacterium, the area becomes wet, painful, blue-green and distinctly smelly, a "gram-negative toe web infection". It is a sign that the problem has gone beyond home care.

8. Corynebacterium minutissimum

Causes erythrasma: reddish-brown, slightly macerated patches between the toes or in the groin, often mistaken for fungus. It is common in hot, humid weather and in people with diabetes.

9. Kytococcus sedentarius

One of the bacteria behind pitted keratolysis: clusters of small shallow pits on weight-bearing parts of the sole plus a very strong odour. Corynebacterium species and Dermatophilus congolensis can also be involved. All of them digest keratin in soles that stay wet, which is why it is so common in people living in rubber boots after floods.

10. Staphylococcus aureus

Through cracks and scrapes it can cause pus bumps, boils, nail-fold infection and skin infection. Some strains resist certain medicines, so a doctor should choose treatment. It survives on socks, fabrics and high-touch surfaces.

11. Streptococcus pyogenes

Cracked toe webs are a classic entry point for Group A Strep, which can cause cellulitis of the foot and shin: red, hot, swollen, painful skin with a spreading edge, sometimes with fever. Doctors routinely check the toe webs of anyone with a red, swollen leg.

12. Aeromonas hydrophila and Leptospira interrogans

Aeromonas lives in fresh water and canals and can enter through leech bites, scrapes or underwater cuts, causing spreading redness. Leptospira, from rat urine in floodwater, enters easily through soggy skin and foot wounds. It does not make feet itch, but anyone with flood feet who keeps wading is at higher risk. Sudden high fever, headache, severe calf pain or red eyes about 2 to 30 days after wading means see a doctor quickly and mention the flood.

Leech bites, common in the Don Sai flood, may ooze longer than ordinary cuts and can become infected if the leech is yanked off or the bite is scratched. Wash with soap and clean water, press to stop bleeding, cover it, and watch for spreading redness.

Flood Feet: When Should You See a Doctor Right Away?

See a doctor promptly if you have any of these, and tell them you waded in floodwater, when, and for how long:

• Foot or leg swollen, red, hot and increasingly painful, with the redness spreading.
• Fever, chills or marked weakness with foot symptoms.
• Sudden high fever, headache, severe calf pain or red eyes after wading (possible leptospirosis).
• Pus, a foul smell, or skin turning purple or dark.
• Red streaks up the leg or painful swollen glands in the groin.
• Feet that are numb, pale, cold, swollen and painful after days in water (possible immersion foot).
• Any foot wound or soggy toe web in someone with diabetes, poor circulation, weak immunity or older age, even if it looks minor.
• No improvement after one to two weeks of keeping feet clean and dry.
• A leech bite or cut that keeps getting redder, or uncertain tetanus vaccination: ask a doctor about vaccination.

In an emergency in Thailand call 1669. Disinfecting your home cannot treat foot infection that has already developed.

Fungus or Bacteria? Rough Clues

• Peeling, itchy, slightly white toe webs: often ringworm fungi.
• Thick white soggy skin over a raw red base: possibly Candida.
• Reddish-brown patch in the toe web, little itch: possibly erythrasma.
• Small pits on the sole and a strong smell: usually pitted keratolysis.
• Wet, blue-green, painful toe web: think Pseudomonas.
• Red, hot, swollen foot or shin with fever: possible cellulitis; see a doctor soon.

Several germs often coexist, so these are clues, not a diagnosis. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any product.

Who Is Most at Risk After the Ban Pho Flood of 2026?

• Older people trapped at home for days, like the 80-year-old woman in the news report.
• People with diabetes, whose feet may be numb and heal slowly.
• People with poor circulation or chronically swollen legs.
• Rescuers, volunteers and those guarding their homes, wading for hours a day.
• Children who play in the water and do not dry their feet.
• Anyone with existing athlete's foot or nail fungus.
• People caring for many pets in a small space.

How to Care for Flood Feet So They Do Not Get Worse

1. Wash feet with soap and clean water every time you leave the water, including every toe web.
2. Dry completely, especially between the toes, with your own towel, and let feet air.
3. Change socks the moment they get wet; cotton dries faster.
4. Rotate at least two pairs of shoes so each pair can be washed and dried.
5. Take off rubber boots regularly and never sleep in wet socks.
6. Do not rub or peel soggy skin; it cracks and lets bacteria in.
7. Cover wounds with waterproof dressings before wading, or avoid wading with open wounds.
8. Do not share shoes, socks or foot towels.
9. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before buying anything, especially if you have diabetes.

Where Foot Germs Hide at Home, and Why Cleaning Alone Falls Short

If toe-web itching keeps returning, the germs are probably still in the house: inside boots, sandals and trainers; on bathroom floors, doormats and laundry areas; in mud residue on ground-floor floors; in piles of socks and towels; in mattresses, cushions and rugs that soaked up water; in pet beds and cages; in drains; and on damp walls, where mould can appear within 24 to 48 hours.

Water and detergent remove dirt but are not designed to disinfect. Home-mixed bleach can be the wrong strength or release irritating gases if combined with some toilet cleaners, and corners under cabinets and behind beds are easy to miss when everyone is exhausted. The World Health Organization and the US CDC both advise removing mud and damaged items, washing with clean water and a cleaner, drying fast (ideally within 24 to 48 hours), and then disinfecting contaminated surfaces while wearing boots, gloves and a mask. Thailand's Department of Disease Control also lists skin problems, including flood feet, among the most common post-flood illnesses, along with leptospirosis and gastrointestinal disease.

WHD Disinfection Spraying After the Ban Pho, Chachoengsao Flood of 2026

World Health Disinfection (WHD) offers a disinfection spraying service for homes, buildings and businesses. According to the service information, trained technicians spray and/or ULV-fog (Ultra Low Volume fine mist) using CHEMGENE HLD4H, a medical-grade disinfectant from the UK containing Benzalkonium Chloride and Didecyldimethylammonium Chloride.

According to WHD's service and product information, it covers viruses, bacteria and fungi, including COVID-19, RSV, H1N1, H5N1, hand-foot-and-mouth virus, norovirus, Salmonella and fungi. The service page states 99.99% efficacy; the product page states 99.85% against COVID-19 within one minute; and the service page cites the Thai Department of Medical Sciences, Mahidol University, NHS England and EN 14476:2013+A2:2019.

Being clear about efficacy: the foot-related organisms in this article (Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, Microsporum, Candida, Neoscytalidium, Pseudomonas, Corynebacterium, Kytococcus, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Aeromonas, Leptospira) are not named on WHD's pages. They belong to the bacteria and fungi groups the product says it covers, but we make no organism-specific claim. Ask WHD if you want test data for a particular organism. Spraying comes after mud removal and washing, does not replace medical care, and will not cure existing flood feet; it reduces germs on surfaces so you are less likely to pick them up again.

The WHD post-flood spraying process

1. Survey: send photos and details by phone or LINE, including water height, rooms and concerns such as older relatives or many pets.
2. Electrical safety and washing first: have an electrician check flooded wiring; remove mud, wash and dry.
3. Zoning: entrance, shoe rack, bathroom, bedrooms and kitchen, one at a time.
4. Clear the zone: people, cats, dogs and food leave the area.
5. Spray: technicians spray and/or ULV-fog CHEMGENE HLD4H over floors, corners and high-touch points.
6. Wait and re-enter: about 30 minutes according to the service information, or as technicians advise; ventilate, and rinse food-contact surfaces and pet bowls with clean water. We do not claim zero residue.

According to the service information, customers receive a free CHEMGENE spray bottle and WELLGIENIC wet wipes, and a tax invoice is available. WHD is based in Bang Khae, Bangkok 10160, and takes Chachoengsao bookings by phone and LINE, subject to scheduling and access. Prices depend on the size and condition of the property.

10 Reasons to Disinfect After a Flood When Your Family Has Flood Feet

1. It reduces germs on floors people walk on barefoot, the main route for foot fungus.
2. The product is stated to cover bacteria, viruses and fungi.
3. It helps protect older relatives and people with diabetes.
4. ULV mist reaches shoe racks, under cabinets and corners.
5. A medical-grade disinfectant used in hospitals, schools and airports, per the service information.
6. No risky home chemical mixing.
7. It saves the energy of a family exhausted by days in the water.
8. A clear process from survey to re-entry.
9. About 30 minutes per zone, per the service information.
10. Confidence to walk barefoot at home again. See the disinfection service page.

Before and After Spraying: A House in Don Sai

Checklist to Prevent Flood Feet After the Chachoengsao Flood of 2026

• Watch for electrical leaks; never wade near poles, sockets or submerged wires.
• Wear boots when you must wade, and air them out regularly.
• Wash, dry between the toes and change into dry socks every time.
• Cover wounds and leech bites before wading; watch for redness.
• After the water drops, wash and sun-dry shoes; throw out pairs that stay musty.
• Hot-wash socks, foot towels and bedding if possible.
• Remove mud and dry the house within 24 to 48 hours.
• Move people and pets out before spraying; return when technicians say.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flood Feet

What causes athlete's foot after a flood?

Soaked skin loses its barrier, then ringworm fungi, Candida and bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus move in.

Will soggy feet heal on their own?

Simple maceration usually improves in two to three days once feet stay dry. Ongoing peeling, cracks, strong odour or redness suggest infection; ask a doctor or pharmacist.

What should I do about itchy, peeling toe webs after wading?

Wash, dry thoroughly, change into dry socks, rotate shoes, do not peel the skin, and get advice before choosing a product.

Why do my soles have small pits and smell so bad?

Probably pitted keratolysis, caused by bacteria digesting wet sole skin. Keeping feet dry is key; have a doctor confirm it.

Which flood-feet symptoms are dangerous?

Spreading red, hot swelling, fever, pus, darkening skin, red streaks, numb pale cold feet, or high fever with calf pain after wading. See a doctor now.

I have diabetes and soggy feet. What should I watch for?

See a doctor even for small problems; check your feet every day after wading.

What should I do after a leech bite in floodwater?

Let it drop off or gently slide a fingernail under the mouth end, wash with soap and water, press, cover and watch for redness or fever.

Will disinfection spraying cure flood feet?

No. It reduces germs on household surfaces; it does not treat infected skin.

When can people and pets go back in after spraying?

About 30 minutes per the service information, or as technicians advise, then ventilate and rinse pet bowls.

Is there a disinfection service near me in Ban Pho, Chachoengsao?

WHD is based in Bang Khae, Bangkok, and takes Chachoengsao bookings at 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268, subject to scheduling and access.

The Water Has Dropped in Don Sai. Let WHD Finish the Job With Disinfection Spraying

Cleaned up but the toe-web itching keeps coming back? Talk to World Health Disinfection. We plan spraying zone by zone, from the entrance and shoe rack to bathrooms and bedrooms, with older relatives and pets in mind.

Book Post-Flood Disinfection

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE @whd268

World Health Disinfection, Bang Khae, Bangkok 10160. Provincial jobs by appointment via phone and LINE.

Related Services

• WHD Disinfection Spraying Service
• CHEMGENE HLD4H medical-grade disinfectant
• Residential ozone disinfection for musty post-flood air

References

• Daily News, Don Sai, Ban Pho flood report, 2 to 3 Oct 2026 (2569): https://www.dailynews.co.th/news/6244181/
• Government Public Relations Department (DDPM data, 7 Oct 2026): https://www.prd.go.th/th/content/category/detail/id/33/iid/548715
• World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets
• CDC, Floods: https://www.cdc.gov/floods/
• Department of Disease Control, Thailand: https://ddc.moph.go.th/