Why Is My Toe Swollen?

Medically Reviewed By Adam Hotchkiss, DPM

Toe swelling is characterized by a buildup of fluids in your toe. A swollen toe can look bigger than the rest of your toes, and it can affect your balance and movement. This is because your toes play a vital role in allowing you to walk. The swelling may be painless or accompanied by a variety of symptoms, including bruising, itchiness, pain, numbness, discoloration, stiffness, and tenderness.

In this article, learn more about toe swelling, including causes, treatments, and other symptoms.

What is a swollen toe?

toes in water
Michela Ravasio/Stocksy United

A collection of excess fluid anywhere in the body is known as edema. A swollen toe is the result of fluid building up underneath the skin.

Toe swelling may be a symptom of a condition or injury affecting your toe or your whole body.

The severity of the swelling largely depends on its underlying cause. For example, standing or sitting for extended periods may cause minor and temporary toe swelling accompanied by swelling of your feet. Severe swelling may be the result of an injury, such as a broken bone or sprain, or a medical condition, such as heart failure or arthritis.

Read more about heart failure-related swelling here.

How long does a swollen toe usually last?

The duration and course of toe swelling vary widely, depending on the cause. Swelling due to an injury often has Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source a sudden onset. In other cases, toe swelling resulting from an underlying medical condition may develop slowly and persist or worsen over time.

Although life threatening complications of toe swelling are rare, you should seek immediate medical care for injuries that involve profuse bleeding or tissue damage.

You should seek prompt medical care for your toe swelling if it is:

Toe swelling may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder, or condition. Symptoms that frequently affect the toes may also involve other body systems.

Other toe-related symptoms that may occur along with toe swelling

Toe swelling may accompany other symptoms affecting the toe, including:

  • bleeding or bruising
  • a burning feeling
  • difficulty moving the foot, ankle, or toes
  • difficulty standing or walking
  • itching
  • lumps or nodules
  • numbness
  • pain or tenderness
  • discoloration or warmth
  • stiffness
  • tingling or other unusual sensations

Other symptoms that may occur along with toe swelling

Toe swelling may accompany other symptoms, including:

  • enlarged lymph nodes
  • fever
  • rash
  • red or discolored streaks on the skin

When to contact a doctor

In some cases, toe swelling may occur with other symptoms that might indicate a life threatening condition, such as heart failure or an infection that has spread throughout the body. A healthcare professional should immediately evaluate these symptoms in an emergency setting. 

Such symptoms may include:

What causes toe swelling?

Injury or damage to any of the structures in the toe can cause toe swelling. A number of common injuries to the toe can lead to toe swelling. These include:

Read more about common injuries here.

Inflammatory causes of toe swelling

Inflammation can affect one or more toes. Examples of inflammatory causes include:

Read more about abscesses, cellulitis, and tendinitis here.

Arthritic causes of toe swelling

Inflammation due to arthritis can also cause toe swelling. Arthritis is an autoimmune condition and may cause Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source a wide variety of issues, such as swelling in the toes. Examples of arthritic causes of toe swelling include:

Read more about autoimmune conditions here.

Situational causes of toe swelling

Toe swelling may result from an activity or situation, such as:

  • an extended airplane or car ride
  • pregnancy
  • standing for extended periods
  • surgery on the toe

How do doctors treat toe swelling?

Depending on the cause of the swelling, there are various ways to treat a swollen toe.

For example, treatments for common injuries that lead to toe swelling usually include Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source resting and icing the affected area.

Treatment options for swollen toes due to arthritic causes include medication to reduce swelling and pain, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and surgery.

Treating inflammatory causes of toe swelling depends on why the toe is inflamed. Different treatments exist for different inflammatory causes.

Treatments for toe swelling from common injuries

  • Bunions: Bunions often do not require treatment, but NSAIDs usually help with swelling. Undergoing surgery to treat them and using glucocorticoid injections to treat the pain and swelling are other forms of treatment if they become painful. Other treatment options include removing pressure from the bunion by wearing shoes with wider toe boxes.
  • Sports injuries: Cooling the affected area with ice and getting plenty of rest usually helps.
  • Toe sprains: Cold compresses can help ease the pain. Immobilizing the area with tape or stiff soled shoes can also help.

Treatments for toe swelling from inflammation

  • Infections such as ingrown toenails: Your doctor may suggest taking antibiotics and regularly cleaning the area with warm, soapy water. This issue may also require an office procedure by a podiatrist to remove the nail.
  • Abscesses: Although you can take antibiotics for abscesses, draining the fluid from the area is another common treatment option.

Treatments for toe swelling from arthritis

  • Gout: You can treat gout with NSAIDs or other medications, such as xanthine oxidase inhibitors, which lower the amount of uric acid in the body.
  • Osteoarthritis: There is currently no cure for osteoarthritis, but management options include lifestyle changes such as maintaining a moderate weight and exercising regularly.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are often used for this kind of arthritis. Biological treatments — such as adalimumab, etanercept, and infliximab — are also options. Your healthcare professional will run through an extensive list of ways to treat and manage the condition. Rheumatoid arthritis may also require surgical procedures such as joint replacements or fusions.

Home care remedies

There are many ways to treat swollen toes at home, such as by:

  • icing the affected area
  • applying cold compresses
  • resting
  • cleaning the affected area with warm, soapy water
  • maintaining a moderate weight
  • drinking water and eating healthily

Be sure to seek medical advice regarding toe swelling, as it can result from various causes.

Questions for diagnosing the cause of toe swelling

To diagnose your condition, your doctor or licensed healthcare practitioner will ask you several questions related to your toe swelling, including:

  • How long has your toe been swollen?
  • Did you experience an injury to your toe?
  • Are you experiencing any other symptoms, such as pain or a loss of sensation?
  • When do your symptoms occur?
  • Are your symptoms worsened or relieved by movement or specific activities?

What are the potential complications of toe swelling?

Because toe swelling can be due to serious health conditions, not seeking treatment can result in serious complications and permanent damage.

Once a doctor has diagnosed the underlying cause, it is important for you to follow the treatment plan that they design specifically for you to reduce the risk of potential complications, including:

Summary

A swollen toe can occur for many possible reasons, including infections, injuries, and existing health conditions. Toe swelling can cause pain and discomfort.

If the swelling persists, it is important to contact your healthcare professional to determine the cause and develop a suitable treatment plan. Be sure to look out for other worrying symptoms, such as a fever.


Medical Reviewer: Adam Hotchkiss, DPM
Last Review Date: 2022 Apr 21
View All Symptoms and Conditions Articles
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.