Causes of Foot and Toe Pain

• Shoes that don't fit or don't offer good support can cause painful feet. Areas where shoes rub or pinch can cause corns and calluses. If blisters occur, they can become infected. Wear shoes that fit well and are right for the activity you are doing.
• Corns and Calluses are hard areas of skin caused by friction or pressure from shoes. The little toe is most at risk, but they can occur on any toe. The risk is higher if any toes are oddly shaped from injury or arthritis. Corns press into the skin and are often small, round and painful. Calluses often happen at the ball of the foot and heel. Padding can help with the pain. You may need to have custom shoe inserts or surgery to fix the problem causing the corn or callus.
• Ingrown Toenails are common and mainly affect the big toe. The edge of the nail presses into the skin at the side of the nail. At first, it may just cause discomfort. But if the nail breaks through the skin, it will cause a wound that can get infected. Treatment starts with protecting the skin from the edge of the nail. Sometimes part of the nail needs to be removed. Antibiotics may be needed. See Ingrown Toenail care guide.
• Trapped Nerves. The nerves in the lower leg can become trapped or squeezed where they pass through narrow spaces as they leave the spine. Sciatica is from pressure on a nerve in the back. It causes tingling, weakness or pain in the leg which may go right down to the toes. If symptoms do not go away with rest or treatment, surgery may be needed to release the nerve.
• Tendinitis is inflammation of tendons where they attach to the bone. It's caused by overuse. This causes tenderness in the area and pain when the foot or toes are moved or used. Often needs a long period of rest from the activity that caused it. A steroid shot may be needed to reduce the pain.
• Inflammation of Soft Tissues can happen in the feet. It often affects runners. It can also affect people who do not wear shoes with enough support.
• Joint Inflammation. Examples are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout. Some, like gout, may affect just one joint (often the big toe). Others affect many joints at the same time. Early treatment may help prevent long-term damage to the joints involved.
• Bunions are swellings of the joints where the big toe joins the foot. The bone gets enlarged and the big toe turns outwards and points towards the other toes. The skin over the joint can become red and painful. Shoes may be hard to fit and walking is painful. Wearing shoes that are too tight could cause bunions or make them worse.
• Peripheral Neuropathy is damage to the nerves in the feet or legs (or hands). Feeling in the feet and toes can be affected. It can cause loss of feeling, tingling or stabbing/burning pain in some areas. The most common cause is diabetes. Wounds or injuries of the feet and toes may go unnoticed. This can lead to serious infection, if not treated.
• Fractures can occur during normal activity without a clear injury. Do not ignore ongoing foot pain.
• Blocked Artery. Arteries carry oxygen from your heart to the leg tissues. Symptoms of blockage are cold, pale, numb and/or painful leg or foot. The blockage will need to be cleared right away when this happens.

Pain Scale

• Mild: you feel some pain, but it does not keep you from any normal activities. Work, activities and sleep are not changed.
• Moderate: the pain keeps you from doing some normal activities. It may wake you up from sleep.
• Severe: the pain is very bad. It keeps you from doing all normal activities.

When to Call for Toe Pain

Care Advice

Treating Mild Toe Pain

What You Should Know:

• Strained muscles, tendons and ligaments are common after using them too much during activities. Examples are running, walking or dancing too much.
• This may be worse if footwear is open-toed, flip-flops or does not fit well.
• Ingrown toenails can cause pain.
• Pain can also be caused by arthritis, gout, bunions, mis-shaped toes and corns.
• The best way to treat toe pain will depend on the cause.

Pain Medicine:

• To help with the pain, take an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
• Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil). Ibuprofen works well for this type of pain.
• Use as needed, but do not take more than the maximum recommended dosage as stated on the package.
• If you are not sure what to take, ask a pharmacist.

Remove Any Jewelry:

• Remove any jewelry (toe rings, ankle bracelet) from the foot that could become tight if the toes or foot start to swell.

Cold Pack for Pain:

• For pain or swelling, use a cold pack. You can also use ice wrapped in a wet cloth.
• Put it on the sore area for 20 minutes.
• Repeat 4 times on the first day, then as needed.
• Caution: avoid frostbite by wrapping the ice pack. Do not put ice directly onto the skin.

Use Heat after 48 Hours:

• If pain lasts more than 2 days, put heat on the sore area.
• Use a heat pack, heating pad or warm wet washcloth.
• Do this for 10 minutes, then as needed.
• Reason: increases blood flow and improves healing.
• Caution: avoid burns by wrapping the heat pack. Do not put it directly onto the skin.

Rest the Foot:

• Rest the painful area as much as possible for 48 hours. Keep the toes moving gently if you can.
• Keep the foot raised above the level of your heart, if you can, to help limit swelling. Lying down with your foot raised on pillows or a rolled blanket can help.

What to Expect:

• A strained joint or bruising hurts for 2 or 3 days.
• The pain often peaks on day 2.
• After severe overuse, the pain may last a week or more.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Fever and swollen joints occur
• Pain lasts more than 7 days
• Pain gets worse over several days
• You think you need to be seen
• Your symptoms get worse

Foot and Toe Care Basics

Foot Care - Basics:

• Check your feet on a regular basis. Check for sores, calluses and any changes in shape of the joints and toes.
• Change your socks daily or when they get damp.

Keep Your Feet Clean:

• Wash your feet daily using soap and water. Rinse off all soap.
• Dry your feet well, especially between the toes.
• Put a small amount of lotion on your feet after bathing. This will help seal moisture in the skin.

Nail Care:

• Trim your toenails straight across. Do not curve down the corners. You should be able to see the corners.
• If you have trouble cutting your toenails, ask someone else to help you.

Wear Shoes That Fit:

• Areas where shoes rub or pinch can cause blisters, corns and calluses.
• Shoes should have a wide toe box, so that your toes do not feel cramped.
• Make sure the shoes are long enough that your longest toe is not touching the end of the shoe.
• Avoid high heels. Heels should not be taller than 2 inches (5 cm).

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.




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