A painful toe corn may or may not have black areas inside them. Ugh. Make an appointment with your primary care doctor or a podiatrist (foot specialist) if you have diabetes and if the redness, swelling, and other symptoms don't go away with home treatment. The human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons made of strong fibrous tissues to keep all the moving parts together not to mention more sweat glands than any other part of the body. Sudden sharp, knife-like, stinging, biting sensations? The most common is arthritis, but bunions, gout, and less well-known conditions like sesamoiditis can also cause this kind of pain. This evening after a long soak I was using a nail tool to try and detect if it was the beginning of an ingrown toenail due to the cutting performed on the side of the nail. Broken toes and sprained toes share many causes and symptoms. The treatment for first toe pain is dependent on the condition but there are lots of methods that overlap and relieve pain. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All rights reserved. Make sure to use disinfected tools when trimming your nails. Injuries and arthritis are among the causes of mallet toe, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Ying J, Xu Y, Istvn B, Ren F. Adjusted Indirect and Mixed Comparisons of Conservative Treatments for Hallux Valgus: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. There are a number of possible problems. Diagnosis of onychomycosis: From conventional techniques and dermoscopy to artificial intelligence. It will most likely stay the way it is until is can be surgically corrected. If the infection is mild and doesn't seem like a serious risk to your health, you can still make an appointment to get it looked at. A sore toe is often caused by exercising too much or wearing shoes that are too tight. Surgery to remove bone spurs, clean out the arthritic MTP joint, or fuse the bones is a last resort. The high salt content can kill bacteria and fungal infections. If pedicure tools arentsterilized properly, you can get skin and nail infections, which may show upimmediately or later even months later. Apply petroleum jelly. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. The most common symptom is pain while walking or doing any physical activity that puts pressure on the foot and toe. Nonsurgical treatments may include: Gout is a condition in which uric acid builds up in a persons joints. Cleaning the toe with antiseptic and covering it with a dressing will prevent further infection and allow healing. The infection is initially minor, but with time may spread and cause your toenail to grow thicker, which can lead to other symptoms. Big toe pain is often the result of injury or minor medical conditions. The cracked heel and dry skin made walking with the cracked heel of my shoes very painful. For a small hematoma, you can heat a needle or the end of a paper clip until it is red-hot. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), https://www.footcaremd.org/conditions-treatments/toes/big-toe-arthritis-hallux-rigidus, https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/gout, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/ingrown-toenail, https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/morton-s-neuroma-(intermetatarsal-neuroma), https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/sesamoid-injuries-in-the-foot, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sesamoiditis, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/toe-and-forefoot-fractures, https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/turf-toe, https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/what-to-do-about-bunions. Generally, the second toe is affected because its the longest. He received his MD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2010, followed by a residency at the Oregon Health & Science University and fellowship at the University of California, Davis. Its a well-known fact that diabetes affects the feet. Soak the toe in equal parts warm water and antibacterial soap for 15 minutes once a day. If there's pain or pressure in the affected toenail, the best footwear to sport is a sandal or an open-toed shoe, Dr. Lobkova says. Consider using Epsom salt or coarse salt to soften your feet. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. That made it difficult for me to walk or stand without feeling discomfort. In addition to pain, a person may notice swelling and loss of mobility in the joint. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Elevate the affected area to reduce flow of blood. Vitamin D deficiency and its association with thyroid disease. ", "Telling the difference between infections so the correct treatment can be followed.". By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Novel treatment of onychomycosis using over-the-counter mentholated ointment: A clinical case series. Try a foot powder that keeps your feet dry. In the office, we can cut out the offending nail border after first numbing the area, Dr. Stock says. Keep your feet clean by washing them with soap and water regularly. It is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a diagnosis of any health or fitness problem, condition or disease; or a recommendation for a specific test, doctor, care provider, procedure, treatment plan, product, or course of action. Using warm water and Epsom salts, give your affected toenail a good soak for 15 minutes. Sometimes,you can treat your ingrown toenails at home. Low-intensity exercises such as walking, jogging, and swimming are ideal. Miles is an Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in Adult Joint Reconstruction in California. If bacteria caused the infection, an antibiotic cream or pill can clear up the problem. Apparently a stubbed big toe from over 30 years ago so deforme the toe that it changed the orientation of the other toes . If your infection doesnt improve within a few days of using home remedies or gets worse, visit your doctor for treatment. Try to avoid walking or standing for long periods. Your toe is red, swollen, and sore. Well, The glycemic index (GI) is a value used to measure how much a specific food increases your blood sugar levels. Soak the affected toenail in warm water for several times a day until your condition improves. A person should rest from activities that cause further pain and follow all treatment advice from their doctor. Left untreated, thick toenails can become painful. Vinegar in general has been used for hundreds of years for its anti-infection properties. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. They include: According to the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, hallux rigidus is the most common cause of arthritis pain at the base of the big toe. You cut the nail too short, or you cut the cuticle around the nail. A pedicure is a very simple procedure that is designed to improve the health of your feet. If you have preexisting medical conditions, treatment can be vital so that the fungus doesnt contribute to secondary infections or complications. A doctor may suggest wearing less flexible shoes when playing sports. We avoid using tertiary references. If you havent already started using one, its probably a good idea to do so. When this is not working efficiently, one consequence is lower forces under the big toe knuckle and high forces under the big toe. When suffering from a sore big toe, resting and elevating your foot can help a lot in relieving pain and swelling. A really bad infection can even put your system into shock and threaten your life. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Many causes of pain in the big toe are treatable. Fungal infections may not appear for months. References If youre concerned about an infection in your toe, you should schedule an appointment with a podiatrist before attempting to treat painful symptoms at home. But could it also be the cause of yellow nails? Nurofen is ibuprofen and is a better solution if there is pain and swelling. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 383,600 times. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Possible it is broken or infected, go to the podiatrist who can tell you pretty quickly upon seeing it and taking an x-ray. I put neoaporin and a bandaid on it. No wonder many of us end up with tired, achy, and stinky feet. Avoid tight shoes and use cotton socks rather than synthetic. what should i do? If you have stubbed or injured your toe, the RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) method is a good way to numb the pain. Medically reviewed by Adam H. Kaplan, DPM. Ingrown toenails usually affect the big toe. OTC (over-the-counter) antibiotic creams and ointments for bacterial infections: These include Polysporin, Neosporin, Bacitracin or a Triple Antibiotic ointment. Apply tea tree oil directly to the affected area to help clear up a minor infection. See your doctor right away if: Your doctor will examine your toe. The information provided is not intended for use as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The podiatrist explained that this problem is common among his patients. 1. To treat an ingrown toenail, your doctor might lift the nail and place a piece of cotton or a splint underneath it. You can try some home-based treatments first and then talk with your doctor about prescription-based options. Villafae JH. It can quickly develop an infection if left untreated. The foots myriad parts, including the toes, heel, and ball, work together to get you from one place to another. Swollen extremely painful infected big toe. Call your doctor or a podiatrist if: You should seek immediate medical attention if you have a fever and notice red streaks on your skin that lead away from the infected area on your toe, as these symptoms indicate a more severe infection. There are many habits and conditions that can make your toenails hurt. Groom your nails regularly. Make an appointment with your primary care doctor or a podiatrist if you have diabetes and if the redness, swelling, and other symptoms dont go away with home treatment. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Do this three to four times a day. They can be helpful in people suffering from toe pain due to arthritis, hammertoes, or bunions. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. At-Home: Use the R.I.C.E method for at-home treatment of this condition: Rest: Limit the use of your toe. After the operation, the nail will regrow but will be narrower than before. The big toe also visibly points inward while the joint at its base points outward. In cases of sudden injury or unexplained pain, a person should see their doctor for diagnosis and treatment. This will help the nail grow away from your skin. You can buy antifungal medicines over the counter or with a prescription from your doctor. A change in the thickness of your toenails may be just one symptom of a fungal infection. Current obesity reports. Gently pull away the skin alongside your toenail. If you have diabetes, you should take extra care when cutting your nails: Cut the nail straight across or follow the shape of the end of the toe, but be very careful not to cut too low at the sides as above. However, if you don't have any discomfort (and/or . needs to be ruled out. For mild cases of Tennis Toe, treatment is very simple. Bruising, swelling, change in shape, and/or pain while moving are common symptoms of a sprained or broken toe. More on Ingrown toenail; Hallux Rigidus. It is an extremely minor surgical procedure and can be completed very efficiently in a normal doctor's office or a clinic. Sterilize the naked nail bed with water or . Dont Miss: Where To Buy Nail Accessories. The affected nail plate will gradually grow out and be replaced by a new healthy one, but this does take a few months.