Many factors can lead to swollen toes, such as an injury, arthritis, an ingrown toenail, gout, or an infection.
There are 26 bones in the human foot, and 14 of these are in the toes. Toes play a critical role in balance and movement. Having a swollen toe can affect a person’s ability to balance and walk.
Health professionals have identified several causes of swollen toes. Examples include injuries, infections, and various forms of arthritis. Each cause has its own management and treatment options.
Some common injuries that can cause a swollen toe include:
- sports injuries
- stubbing the toe
- dropping something heavy on the toe
Aside from swelling, people who injure their toe may also experience:
- discoloration
- warmth in the area
- pain
- limited movement
- Bruising
Some injuries involve a break in one or more bones within the toe. If it involves a broken toe, bruising may appear the day after the injury.
A stress fracture is a tiny hairline break in a bone. These tend to occur with repetitive activities such as running. The symptoms of a stress fracture are similar to those of a bone break, but they are usually less severe. Pain typically occurs during activity and stops during rest. The toe may swell but does not usually bruise.
Treatment
People with a sprained or broken toe should follow the RICE procedure. This acronym stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Resting the foot in an elevated position and applying ice and compression can help reduce inflammation. Doctors may also prescribe analgesics to relieve pain.
Some broken bones may require surgery, especially if they are severely displaced due to the injury. One standard treatment for broken toes is “buddy taping,” or taping the fractured toe to the toe next to it to stabilize it, and wearing a hard-soled shoe or boot for several weeks to allow healing.
A person should see a doctor if there is persistent swelling, pain, or trouble walking.
Arthritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. It results in pain and tissue damage and affects over
There are many different types of arthritis. Two common types are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
OA occurs due to general wear and tear of the joints. RA is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the joints and other tissues. Both types of arthritis may affect the joints within the toes.
Arthritis of the toes may result in pain, stiffness, and deformities in the joints, which may appear as swellings.
Treatment
Treatment for arthritis depends on the type. While there is no cure, treatments can help slow down the progression, including:
- lifestyle changes
- medications
- physiotherapy
- surgery
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of arthritis that affects some people with psoriasis. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes plaques to develop on the skin. These plaques are particularly common on the scalp, back, and around the joints.
About 125 million people worldwide have psoriasis or around 2–3% of the world’s population. Researchers estimate that up to 30% of people with psoriasis also develop PsA.
People with PsA may have swollen toes and fingers that
PsA can also affect the hips, knees, and spine.
Treatment
There are many drugs available to help manage PsA (and RA). Some examples include:
- NSAIDs
- oral glucocorticoids
- local glucocorticoid injections
- methotrexate
- biologics such as etanercept or infliximab
- Janus kinase inhibitors
Some people may also benefit from:
- trying physical therapy
- trying occupational therapy
- trying massage therapy
- losing weight
- gently exercising
- quitting smoking
Gout is another type of arthritis. This type causes crystals to form within and around the joints, resulting in inflammation and pain.
Gout most
People with gout may experience intense joint pain that appears suddenly. Symptoms typically reach their maximum intensity within 24 hours of a flare-up. The swollen toe may appear discolored and feel warm to the touch.
Treatment
Doctors tend to
Some people experience chronic gout as a result of high uric acid, or urate, levels in the blood. Taking the following urate-lowering drugs can help prevent gout flare-ups:
- xanthine oxidase inhibitors (such as allopurinol or febuxostat)
- uricosuric (such as probenecid or lesinurad)
- interleukin-1 blockers (such as anakinra or canakinumab)
Hallux rigidus is another type of arthritis that affects the metatarsophalangeal joint at the base of the big toe. Inflammation in this joint can cause pain and stiffness in the toe, which may also cause difficulty walking.
Hallux rigidus can also cause a bump on the top of the foot. This bump may appear similar to a bunion or a callus.
Other symptoms of hallux rigidus include:
- swelling around the joint
- stiffness in the big toe, characterized by an inability to bend it up or down
- pain in the joint during activity, especially when pushing off on the toes while walking
Treatment
In severe cases, a person may need surgery to eliminate or reduce the pain of hallux rigidus.
For less severe cases, however, a doctor or podiatrist may recommend:
- taking over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs
- receiving glucocorticoid injections
- wearing shoes with a wide-toe box
- wearing orthotic devices
- trying physical therapy
An ingrown toenail is a nail that has
Left untreated, an ingrown toenail can cause severe pain and discomfort. Some may require surgery.
Treatment
Doctors and podiatrists must determine the stage of the ingrown toenail before starting treatment. Severe ingrown toenails may require procedures to remove them or even surgery.
General methods for
- changing the shoes to improve comfort
- soaking the affected foot in warm, soapy water
- applying topical antibiotics
- applying topical steroids
Skin and soft tissue infections that affect the foot can cause the toes to swell. There are many potential causes of such infections. Examples include:
- ingrown toenails
- insect bites and stings
- open wounds
Treatment
Skin and soft tissue infections may require antibiotic treatment. The type of antibiotic a doctor prescribes depends on the cause and severity of the infection, as well as the type of bacteria present. They may choose topical, oral, or injectable antibiotics.
People who have an infection in their toe should monitor it carefully. If the swelling worsens, a change of antibiotics may be necessary. However, people should not stop taking antibiotics unless their doctor instructs them.
A bunion is a bump that develops on the joint at the base of the big toe. This occurs as a result of changes to the bones within the foot. These changes cause the big toe to lean toward the second toe instead of pointing straight ahead.
The bones gradually drift further out of alignment with time, causing the bunion to grow.
Bunions can cause the following symptoms:
- pain or soreness at the site of the bump
- burning
- numbness
- inflammation
Treatment
Bunions do not always require treatment. However, if it is painful, a doctor may recommend trying glucocorticoid injections to alleviate pain and swelling.
Other treatment and management options include:
- taking over-the-counter NSAIDs
- applying ice
- changing shoes
- wearing orthotic devices
- putting pads on the bump
- avoiding activities that cause pain
- undergoing surgery
People should see a doctor if they think they have an infection or a form of arthritis. These conditions require medication.
Those who develop bunions should consult a podiatrist. Early treatment can help prevent further damage to the joint.
People should not attempt to remove ingrown toenails themselves. Doing so can make the condition worse and could cause an infection.
Individuals who injure their toe should see a doctor if they experience any of the following:
- a popping or breaking sound in the bone at the time of the injury
- a crooked or abnormal-looking toe following the injury
- swelling or bruising in the toe the day after the injury
- persistent pain
- trouble walking
Infections can cause a toe to swell without injury, alongside underlying conditions such as gout or arthritis.
To relieve a swollen toe, a person can ensure they rest and relax their foot, use a cold compress or ice pack to decrease swelling, take anti-inflammatory medication, elevate the foot, or ensure they wear wide, comfortable shoes.
If a person thinks they may have a toe infection, arthritis, gout, or an injury, they should contact a doctor.
A swollen toe can occur for many reasons, including injuries, infections, and conditions like arthritis.
Some causes of a swollen toe require a visit to the doctor. People should generally see a doctor if the swelling persists or involves pain or other worrying symptoms.
A doctor will diagnose the issue and outline the potential treatment options. Depending on the cause, treatment options may include medications, surgery, or lifestyle changes to help manage the pain and discomfort.