Why Do Toes Swell?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

A swollen toe can occur for many different reasons, including

injuries, infections, and conditions such as arthritis

. Some causes of a swollen toe require a visit to the doctor. In general, people should see a doctor if the swelling persists or is accompanied by pain or other worrying symptoms.

How do I reduce swelling in my toe?

  1. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. …
  2. Buy compression socks. …
  3. Soak in a cool Epsom salt bath for about 15 to 20 minutes. …
  4. Elevate your feet, preferably above your heart. …
  5. Get moving! …
  6. Magnesium supplements can be helpful for some people. …
  7. Make some dietary changes. …
  8. Lose weight if you’re overweight.

What are COVID toes?

What Are the Symptoms of COVID Toes?

The skin on one or more of your toes or fingers may swell up and look bright red, then gradually turn purple

. Skin of color can look swollen and purple, and brownish-purple spots may appear. ADVERTISEMENT.

What does COVID toes look like?

In skin of color, COVID toes can cause

a purplish discoloration, as the toe circled in red shows. You may also see swelling and round brownish purple spots

(B). What you may see with COVID toes: The condition may develop on your toes, fingers, or both.

Can diabetes cause swollen toes?


Poor blood circulation often causes swollen feet and ankles when you have diabetes

. Swelling in the feet and ankles is caused by excess fluid that builds up in the body tissue. The swelling is called edema, which is often caused by an underlying issue such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease, or diabetes.

What is a Morton’s toe?

Morton’s toe gets its name from the first orthopedic surgeon to officially describe the condition—Dudley Morton.

If your second toe is longer than your big toe

, then you have Morton’s toe . Usually, this congenital condition doesn’t cause any problems.

How do I know if I have gout in my toe?

  1. Intense joint pain. Gout usually affects the big toe, but it can occur in any joint. …
  2. Lingering discomfort. After the most severe pain subsides, some joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks. …
  3. Inflammation and redness. …
  4. Limited range of motion.

Why is my toes swollen and itchy?

Chilblains are patches of red, swollen and itchy skin,

thought to be caused by a combination of cold weather and poor circulation

. Extremities such as the toes, fingers, nose and earlobes are most at risk. Elderly or sedentary people are most susceptible to developing chilblains.

Will you test positive for COVID If you have COVID toes?

Intriguingly, the surge — seen by physicians around the globe — seemed to coincide with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, when physicians examined people with what the media began calling ‘COVID toes’,

most didn’t test positive for a coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection

.

What causes chilblains on toes?

Causes of chilblains

You can get chilblains

when it’s cold

. The cold makes the tiny blood vessels in your fingers and toes get smaller. This stops blood moving around as easily. If you warm up too quickly, the blood vessels get bigger again and blood rushes to your fingers and toes.

Why are my toes burning and stinging?

While fatigue or a skin infection can cause temporarily burning or inflamed feet,

burning feet are most often a sign of nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)

. Nerve damage has many different causes, including diabetes, chronic alcohol use, exposure to certain toxins, certain B vitamin deficiencies or HIV infection.

What are 10 warning signs of diabetes?

  • Frequent urination. When your blood sugar is high, your kidneys expel the excess blood sugar, causing you to urinate more frequently. …
  • Increased thirst. …
  • Fatigue. …
  • Blurred vision. …
  • Increased hunger. …
  • Unexplained weight loss. …
  • Slow healing cuts and wounds. …
  • Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet.

What do toes look like when you have diabetes?

Although rare, nerve damage from diabetes can lead to changes in the shape of your feet, such as Charcot’s foot. Charcot’s foot may start with redness, warmth, and swelling. Later,

bones in your feet and toes can shift or break, which can cause your feet to have an odd shape, such as a “rocker bottom.”

What are the 3 most common symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes?

The three most common symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes include

increased thirst, increased urination, and increased hunger

. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that happens when blood sugar (glucose) is too high (hyperglycemia).

What is a royal toe?

A Morton’s toe otherwise called Morton’s foot or Greek foot or Royal toe is

characterized by a longer second toe

. This is because the first metatarsal, behind the big toe, is short compared to the second metatarsal, next to it.

What is neuroma?

A neuroma is

a disorganized growth of nerve cells at the site of a nerve injury

. A neuroma occurs after a nerve is partially or completely disrupted by an injury — either due to a cut, a crush, or an excessive stretch.

Why is my second toe so long?

In people with

Morton’s toe, the first metatarsal is shorter compared to the second metatarsal

. This is what makes your second toe look longer than the first. Having a shorter first metatarsal may cause more weight to be put on the thinner second metatarsal bone.

What does gout look like on your feet?

Gout is caused by a chemical called uric acid forming small crystals in and around the joints. These crystals also often build up under the skin and form

small white or yellow lumps known as tophi

. Tophi are usually painless, but they can form in awkward places, such as at the ends of your fingers and around your toes.

What are the 10 foods that trigger gout?

Food and drinks that can cause a flare-up of gout include

alcohol, beef, pork, chicken liver, wild game, sardines, anchovies, yeast, and beverages with high-fructose corn syrup, such as soda

.

What food causes gout?

Foods and drinks that often trigger gout attacks include

organ meats, game meats, some types of fish, fruit juice, sugary sodas and alcohol

. On the other hand, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, soy products and low-fat dairy products may help prevent gout attacks by lowering uric acid levels.

Why do my toes swell and turn red?

Infections.

Skin and nail infections

can cause redness, swelling, and pain in the toes. Bacteria or fungi are usually responsible for these infections. Nail infections, or paronychia, can cause a swollen bump to form around the nail, and this bump may leak pus.

What do chilblains on your toes look like?

Chilblains are small red itchy patches that can appear on toes and fingers after you’ve been in the cold, particularly in winter. They have

a distinctive ‘dusky pink’ appearance

and can be very tender and itchy. Sometimes they can look a bit like a bruise and sometimes toes can become quite swollen.

Do chilblains cause swelling?

Chilblains (CHILL-blayns) are the painful inflammation of small blood vessels in your skin that occur in response to repeated exposure to cold but not freezing air. Also known as pernio,

chilblains can cause itching, red patches, swelling and blistering on your hands and feet

.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.