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Toe pain

There are multiple causes of toe pain. Often, you can ease the pain by yourself, but if it doesn’t improve, consult a doctor.

How to ease toe pain

  • Try to rest and raise your foot whenever you can
  • Place an ice pack on your toe for 20 minutes every 2–3 hours
  • Wear comfortable, wide shoes with no or low heels and soft sole
  • Take paracetamol
  • Gently strap a broken toe. Put a tiny piece of cotton or gauze between your sore toe and use tape to strap it up loosely
  • Practice gentle stretching exercises
  • Don’t take ibuprofen after an injury for 48 hours
  • Don’t stand or walk for a long time
  • Avoid high heels or tightly pointed shoes

Toe pain causes

  • Sore toe
  • Ingrown toenail
  • Bunion (hard bone lumps near the toe)
  • Broken toe
  • Gout
  • Raynaud’s syndrome

 

How to ease toe pain

Consult a doctor if

  • Your toe pain stops you from day-to-day activities
  • Your toe pain keeps coming back or getting worse
  • The pain doesn’t improve after two weeks
  • You have foot pain and diabetes

Seek immediate medical help, if:

  • You badly hurt your big toe
  • You are in severe pain
  • You feel dizzy or sick from the pain
  • You have any loss of sensation or tingling feeling in your foot
  • Your heard grinding, popping, or a snap noise at the time of injury
  • You having a hard time moving your toes or are unable to walk
  • Your toe is pointing at an odd angle

For personalized advice and support tailored to your health needs, consider our free doctor consultation service, where you can connect with experienced professionals ready to assist you.

Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022