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.
A swollen toe looks larger than normal and larger compared to other toes due to the accumulation of fluid in the tissue of the toe.
Swollen feet and legs may be a sign of a serious condition, such as heart failure. In rare cases, infections of the bone osteomyelitis or skin and soft tissues cellulitis of the toe can spread throughout the body, resulting in shock and organ failure.
Seek immediate medical care if toe swelling is accompanied by serious symptoms, such as sudden chest pain or pressure; palpitations; a high fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit; or a change in level of consciousness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness.
Keep reading to learn about the causes of swollen toes and their associated symptoms. We also outline the potential treatment options associated with each cause.
Causes Toes to Swollen
Any condition that causes accumulation of fluid in the tissues of your toes and feet will cause swelling. Swelling in the toes can have numerous triggers, and though swollen toes may not seem serious initially, without prompt medical follow-up your swollen toes symptoms could worsen.
Inflammatory causes:
If bacteria or fungi enter the toes via a cut or other puncture, the resulting infection will cause entrance of fluids into the tissues that result in swelling and inflammation.
Infection:
The feet and toes are particularly susceptible to infection. Walking around barefoot puts the toes in direct contact with various pathogens; but on the other hand, tight, close-toed shoes create a damp, sweaty environment that also allows bacteria to grow.
Rheumatologic:
This category includes inflammatory conditions involving the body’s tissues and joints. Conditions such as arthritis and gout cause inflammation that easily brings fluid into the tissues leading to swelling, redness and tenderness of the joints, especially the toes.
Environmental causes:
Trauma:
Trauma to the toe that causes swelling can include simple mishaps such as jamming the foot on a wall or table to serious accidents that result in broken bones.
Hygiene:
The toenails are an often-ignored body part, but improper attention can lead to toe swelling. Long or curved nails can grow into the flesh of the toe resulting in redness, pain and swelling.
Swollen Toe Symptoms
You might have noticed your swollen toe based on the change in size, but there are other symptoms that commonly occur at the same time, such as:
· pain
· stiffness or limited range of motion
· warmth of the affected area
· redness of the affected area
· swelling of other toes
· swelling elsewhere in the foot or ankle
· stretched skin
· shiny skin
· stinging or itching between the toes or on the soles of the feet
Treatments and remedies
The treatment options and management strategies for a swollen toe depend on its underlying cause.
The sections below list some remedies to try depending on the cause of the swollen toe.
Injury
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. Podiatrists may also prescribe analgesics to relieve pain.
Some broken bones may require surgery, especially if they are severely displaced as a result of the injury. One common treatment for broken toes is buddy taping, or taping the broken toe to the toe next to it to stabilize it, and wearing a hard-soled shoe or boot for several weeks to allow healing.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that causes swelling, discomfort, and stiffness in joints. Arthritis in your toes can be:
· osteoarthritis, the breakdown of cartilage between joints
· rheumatoid arthritis, when your immune system attacks your body tissue
· psoriatic arthritis, associated with the autoimmune disease psoriasis
· ibuprofen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
· topical capsaicin
· duloxetine
Gout
Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden soreness, swelling, and stiffness, often at the big toe joint hallux metatarsal phalangeal or MTP joint.
Podiatrists tend to treat gout with anti-inflammatory drugs, such as NSAIDS, glucocorticoids, or colchicine. To reduce the severity and duration of the flare-up, they should start treatment within 24 hours of the onset of swelling.
Ingrown toenail
When the side or corner of a toenail grows into the flesh of the toe, it’s called an ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenails cause swelling, pain, and redness. Ingrown toenails can also become infected.
Podiatrists must determine the stage of the ingrown toenail before starting treatment. This is because severely ingrown toenails may require procedures to remove the toenail, or even surgery.
If your toe is infected or at risk of infection your Podiatrist might prescribe an antibiotic. Physical treatment includes lifting the nail, partially removing the nail, or completely removing the nail.
Skin and soft tissue infections
Skin and soft tissue infections may require antibiotic treatment. The type of antibiotic a Podiatrist 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 a course of antibiotics unless their Podiatrist instructs them to do so.
