Why Do My Toes Hurt?
If your toes hurt, visit a foot and ankle institute as early as possible to get them checked. Toe pain can stem from various issues, including Freiberg’s disease, plantar palate problems, Morton’s neuroma, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and sesamoiditis.
Other common causes of foot and toe pain include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, toe bruises, black toenail fungus, and gout. Some causes, like toe fractures or bruises, are obvious causes of pain. All of these conditions can and should be promptly addressed by a qualified podiatrist.
5 Reasons Why Your Toes Might Hurt
Other symptoms, such as burning, numbness, toe deformity, wart, ulcer, swelling, and redness, can accompany a hurting toe. If you experience such symptoms, seek the help of an experienced podiatrist. Most causes of toe pain are treatable non-surgically if diagnosed early. Left untreated, the condition can get worse and require surgery.
Here’s an overview of five reasons why your toes could be hurting:
1. Chronic Toe & Foot Conditions
Various foot and toe conditions can lead to toe pain. Common chronic conditions include bunions, toe deformity, nerve problems, and toenail problems.
Bunions gradually cause the big toe to point inwards, leading to pain and difficulty walking. Toe deformities like hammertoes are known to cause toe pain.
Compression of the nerves in the foot can also cause a burning sensation between the toes. Other chronic toe conditions include ingrown toenails and hematoma.
2. Injuries & Acute Toe Conditions
Severe injuries to the foot and toe can lead to toe pain, especially if not given time to heal properly. Fractures can cause acute pain, swelling, and even deformities. Stress fractures in the toe occur over time, so the pain likely won’t be obvious at first.
Sprains are a common cause of toe pain in soccer and football players. Plantar warts can also form on the bottom of the toes leading to pain. Plantar warts, not to be confused with corns and calluses, stem from the HPV virus.
3. Medical Conditions
Your toe can hurt because of medical conditions like gout, rheumatoid arthritis, or diabetes. Gout can result in intense pain in the large toe and other foot joints. The condition occurs when crystals deposit in the joint.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a degenerative disease that causes joint pain and stiffness and worsens with aging.
Diabetes also increases the risk of foot ulcers and peripheral neuropathy, which can cause numbness, weakness, and burning pain.
4. Cuts, Punctures, & Burns
Burns of all severity can cause pain and are a genuine reason to visit a foot and ankle institute. First-degree burns are more like painful sunburns, while third-degree burns are the most severe.
Cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds are also causes of toe pain. You can get a tetanus infection if the cut is caused by a dirty or rusty object.
Bumps, bruises, and contusions can also cause toe pain. They occur when blood vessels are broken/damaged due to a blow to the skin.
5. Infections and Fungus
Toe pain can stem from infections, including athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) and osteomyelitis. Athlete’s foot is a prevalent skin infection caused by the ringworm fungus. The infection can cause itching, burning, and bleeding.
Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that can result from injections around the bone, punctures and fractures to the skin, and surgeries. The condition can also stem from bacterial infections traveling from other parts of the body.
Visiting a Foot and Ankle Institute
Toe pain can be discomforting and makes walking and running errands difficult. If your toe hurts, you should get it checked as soon as possible. Toe pain can stem from serious issues that need to be addressed early. Traumatic blows and fractures caused by accidents require immediate care. Diabetic foot care is also necessary to prevent and treat problems like ulcers.
An experienced foot doctor can help you diagnose the cause of pain and recommend the most suitable treatment. Look for top-rated institutes with experienced podiatrists.
