Why My Big Toe Feels Numb?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Big toe numbness can be caused by many factors which include

tight shoes, toe arthritis, damage to peripheral nerves, nerve entrapment and low back injuries

. A thorough evaluation is important if you have a significant past medical history including diabetes, and or, poor circulation.

What does a numb big toe mean?

Toes are a common part of the body to feel numb. If that feeling doesn’t go away, it could be a sign of an underlying medical problem. A common cause for numb or tingly toes is a medical condition called “

peripheral neuropathy

.” Numbness or tingling in the toes typically isn’t a medical emergency.

Will numb big toe go away?


If the numbness is caused by ill-fitting shoes or a toe injury, the symptom is usually normal and can heal on its own

. However, chronic toe numbness that does not appear to stem from a known acute concern may point to underlying health issues like diabetes, blood disorders, or other illnesses.

Is numbness in toes a symptom of diabetes?


Diabetic neuropathy can cause numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, hands, and feet

. Another symptom is a burning, sharp, or aching pain (diabetic nerve pain). The pain may be mild at first, but it can get worse over time and spread up your legs or arms.

When should I worry about numb feet?

If you have foot numbness along with loss of bladder or bowel control, paralysis, disorientation, foot weakness, or slurred speech, go to an emergency room very away (phone 911). Contact a medical expert

if your foot numbness is chronic, recurrent, or causes you worry

.

What are the signs of diabetic feet?

  • Changes in skin color.
  • Changes in skin temperature.
  • Swelling in the foot or ankle.
  • Pain in the legs.
  • Open sores on the feet that are slow to heal or are draining.
  • Ingrown toenails or toenails infected with fungus.
  • Corns or calluses.
  • Dry cracks in the skin, especially around the heel.

What nerve affects the big toe?

Causes. The

peroneal nerve

is a branch of the sciatic nerve, which supplies movement and sensation to the lower leg, foot and toes.

Can high blood pressure cause numb feet?

7 Signs of High Blood Pressure to Look for in Legs and Feet

Burning sensation in feet (due to weakened pulse) Hair loss on the legs and feet.

Numbness and tingling in feet

.

What is Covid toe?

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.

Does numb toes mean?

The most common cause of toe numbness is

direct compression of the nerves of the foot from footwear from shoes

. Numbness of the toe can occur because of injury to the foot, nerve damage (neuropathy), and poor circulation to the foot (such as with diabetes and peripheral vascular disease).

What kind of doctor treats numbness in feet?

Everyone with symptoms of peripheral neuropathy of the feet should see

a podiatrist

. Podiatrists are doctors who are specially trained to preserve the health of the feet.

Can too much sugar cause tingling in feet?


Nerve damage caused by high blood sugar is the most common cause of numb or tingly hands and feet

.

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 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 is Diabetic foot?

Foot problems are common in people with diabetes. They can happen over time when

high blood sugar damages the nerves and blood vessels in the feet

. The nerve damage, called diabetic neuropathy, can cause numbness, tingling, pain, or a loss of feeling in your feet.

What is the best medicine for numbness?

Corticosteroids. Some corticosteroids can help reduce chronic inflammation and numbness associated with conditions such as MS.

Gabapentin and pregabalin

. Medications that block or change nerve signaling may help reduce numbness associated with conditions such as fibromyalgia, MS, and diabetic neuropathy.

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.

How can you test for diabetes at home?

  1. Wash and dry your hands well.
  2. Insert a test strip into your meter.
  3. Prick the side of your fingertip with the lancet provided with your test kit.
  4. Gently squeeze or massage your finger until a drop of blood forms.
  5. Touch and hold the edge of the test strip to the drop of blood.

How do you check for diabetes?

What tests are used to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes? Health care professionals most often use the

fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test or the A1C test

to diagnose diabetes. In some cases, they may use a random plasma glucose (RPG) test.

Can back problems cause numbness in feet?

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

This type of spinal stenosis affects the lower part of the spine.

Symptoms include back pain and numbness, weakness or tingling the legs or feet

.

How do I stop nerve pain in my big toe?

  1. Rest and applications of ice.
  2. Wearing more comfortable shoes.
  3. Oral anti-inflammatory medications.
  4. Analgesics.
  5. Electrical stimulation.
  6. Orthotics, canes or braces.
  7. Physical therapy.
  8. Corticosteroid injections.

What’s the best home remedy for neuropathy?

  1. Vitamins. Some cases of peripheral neuropathy are related to vitamin deficiencies. …
  2. Cayenne pepper. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, an ingredient in hot peppers that makes them spicy. …
  3. Quit smoking. …
  4. Warm bath. …
  5. Exercise. …
  6. Essential oils. …
  7. Meditation. …
  8. Acupuncture.

Can dehydration cause numbness?

Nausea or feeling sick. Constipation.

Tingling or numbness in fingers or toes or a feel of body parts “falling asleep”

Lack of – or reduced – sweating, even in strenuous situations.

Can numbness in feet be cured?

Treatments for numbness in feet or a neuroma can include

non-surgical treatments such as steroid injections and offloading the forefoot with padding and/or orthotics

. For more long term results, a series of alcohol injections can be used on the neuroma to dehydrate and destroy the nerve lesion.

How do you feel when you have high blood pressure?

Some people experience

headaches, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath

with high blood pressure. However, those symptoms can mimic many other things (serious or non-serious). Usually, these symptoms occur once blood pressure has reached a dangerously high level over a period of time.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.