In this article, learn more about toe swelling, including causes, treatments, and other symptoms.
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
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:
- persistent
- recurrent
- causing skin color changes, including darkening
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
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:
- a change in mental status or a sudden behavior change, such as confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations, or delusions
- garbled or slurred speech or an inability to speak
- high fever, higher than 101ºF (38.3ºC)
- paralysis, or an inability to move a body part
- respiratory or breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or an inability to breathe, labored breathing, wheezing, or choking
- a sudden change in vision, a loss of vision, or eye pain
- a painful headache
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:
- bite or sting injuries
- a broken foot or toe
- burns
- dislocation of bones
- injuries related to overuse
- sports injuries
- stress fractures
- tendon rupture
- toe sprain
Read more about common injuries here.
Inflammation can affect one or more toes. Examples of inflammatory causes include:
- abscesses, which are localized collections of pus due to an infection or a foreign object under the skin
- blisters and bunions
- bursitis, or inflammation of a bursa sac that cushions a joint
- cellulitis, which is an infection of the skin and underlying soft tissue
- osteomyelitis, which is a bone infection
- papilloma virus infection
- paronychia, which is a nail infection
- skin ulceration
- tendinitis, which refers to inflammation of a tendon
- ingrown toenail
Read more about abscesses, cellulitis, and tendinitis here.
Inflammation due to arthritis can also cause toe swelling. Arthritis is an autoimmune condition and
- Gout: This is a type of arthritis that happens because of a buildup of uric acid in the joints. Gout flare-ups
usually manifest Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source as a warm, swollen joint, often located in the toes. - Osteoarthritis: This occurs when the cartilage of joints wears down. It is the
most common Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source form of arthritis. - Rheumatoid arthritis: This is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by joint inflammation. It
often affects Trusted Source National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Governmental authority Go to source the joints in the feet, which can include the toes. - Psoriatic arthritis: This is a type of arthritis that affects those with psoriasis. It affects the joints and is a chronic condition.
Read more about autoimmune conditions here.
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
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
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.
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?
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:
- amputation
- deformity
- difficulty walking
- disability
- paralysis
- serious infections and gangrene
- severe discomfort or pain
- the spread of cancer
- the spread of infection
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.