While they are often very annoying and painful, injuries to a tripped toe are usually not serious. However, in severe cases, a seemingly minor toe injury can be a serious condition, such as a broken bone or sprain. Because cases like these carry the risk of complications such as osteoarthritis, knowing how to recognize (and treat) both types of tripped toe can be useful first aid knowledge.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Basic Treatment for Stumbling Feet
Step 1. Check the condition of the toe immediately after the injury
The first step in treating a tripped toe is to check the severity of the injury. Gently remove the shoes and socks from the sore foot. Observe the injured toe, but be careful not to make the injury worse (you can ask a friend for help at this step). Watch for the following signs:
- Toes that appear "bent" or "deformed"
- Bleeding
- Broken or loose nails
- Severe swelling and/or discoloration of the toes
- Treatment for toes varies and is determined by the appearance of the above signs (if any). Read the next steps for specific ways to treat injuries.
- If the pain when removing shoes and socks is too severe, your toes and/or feet may be fractured or sprained. This condition is not dangerous, but you should see a doctor for help.
Step 2. Clean and disinfect open wounds
If you have an open sore on your toe, you should clean it immediately to prevent infection. These injuries include cuts, cuts, and broken nails. Gently clean your toes with soap and warm water then dry with a clean cloth or tissue. Next, apply a small amount of antibacterial cream to the open wound and protect it with a clean bandage.
- Change the bandage on the toe every day until your injury heals.
- Read How to Clean a Wound for a step-by-step guide.
Step 3. Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling
Most cases of a tripped toe will be accompanied by swelling. This swelling will make your toe look odd, and make it more prone to pain. Fortunately, this swelling is easily treated with a cold compress. There are many ways to do this, such as using an ice pack, ice cubes, or even an unopened bag of frozen vegetables.
- Whatever you use to apply compresses to your toes, cover them with a towel or cloth before applying them to the skin. Place the ice pack on for 15 to 20 minutes at a time before repeating it again. Prolonged direct contact with ice can cause further damage to the skin, making the injury worse.
- Read the article on how to use a cold compress for more information.
Step 4. Avoid pressing the toes
Even daily routines can be painful if you have to walk with an injured toe. To reduce pain and swelling, try to put weight on your heels while walking and standing. This method may make it difficult for you to maintain balance. Also, putting your entire body weight on your heels will make your gait look awkward and eventually cause pain. So, just try to take the weight off your toes a little bit so you don't feel pain when you walk.
- Once the swelling in the sore finger has subsided, a light cushioning layer (such as a gel insole) can be used to help reduce pain when walking.
- If the pain in your toe doesn't go away after a day or two, you may need to avoid physical activities like sports etc., for a few days until the pain is gone.
Step 5. Make sure your shoes fit properly
Tight shoes will make swollen toes hurt even more. If you can, wear loose, comfortable shoes after the injury to relieve pressure on your toes. However, if there are no other shoes, try loosening your laces.
Open footwear such as sandals or flip-flops is the best choice because in addition to not pressing the foot, the use of sandals will also make it easier for you to compress, change bandages, and so on
Step 6. Treat pain that doesn't go away with over-the-counter medications
If the pain in your toe doesn't improve on its own, over-the-counter pain relievers can be a temporary solution. There are many over-the-counter pain relievers to choose from, including acetaminophen (paracetamol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. Both types of drugs are available at most department stores and pharmacies.
Be sure to follow the instructions for use and the dosage instructions listed on the medicine package. Even over-the-counter drugs can cause harmful effects if used in high doses
Step 7. Elevate the sore toe
Another effective way to reduce swelling is to elevate the sore toe above the body while resting or sitting. For example, rest your feet on a pile of pillows while lying down. Elevating the swollen area above the body will reduce the blood supply from the heart to that area. As a result, blood will slowly flow out of the swollen area until it finally deflates. Since you can't do this while standing and walking, try to take the time to elevate the injured toe when sitting or lying down for long periods of time.
Method 2 of 2: Recognizing Serious Problems
Step 1. Watch for pain and inflammation that doesn't go away
As explained in the introduction, most cases of tripping foot injuries are not serious. So, one indication that your toe injury is serious is if the pain gets better soon. Pain that doesn't improve over time as a regular bruise is a sign of a problem that requires medical attention. Pay particular attention to the following signs:
- Pain that doesn't get better within an hour or two
- Pain that feels the same as before when the toe is put on pressure
- Swelling and/or inflammation that makes it difficult for you to walk or wear shoes for several days
- Skin that looks like bruises and doesn't disappear after a few days
Step 2. Watch for signs of a fracture
Stumbling on the toe hard often causes a broken bone (fracture). In this case, you will usually need to have an X-ray, put on a cast, or a foot brace. Signs of a fracture include:
- The 'crack' sound you hear when you're injured
- Toes that appear "bent," "bent," or "deformed"
- Unable to move the injured toe
- Prolonged pain, inflammation and bruising
- Remember that in most toe fractures, the injured person can still walk. So being able to walk isn't a sign that your toe isn't broken.
Step 3. Watch for signs of bleeding under the nail (subungual hematoma)
Another common injury to a tripped toe is the accumulation of blood under the nail. The pressure between the accumulated blood and the nail can cause inflammation and swelling over a long period of time, prolonging your recovery from injury. In this case, the doctor will make a small hole in the nail to drain the accumulated blood and lower the pressure. This action is known as "trefination".
Step 4. Check for fractures in the nails
A toe injury that causes part or all of the nail to detach from the nail bed can be very painful. While home treatments can be used to treat some of these cases, seeing a doctor will ensure you get the right treatment to reduce pain, protect the wound, and fight infection that you can't do on your own.
Also, if the injury to your toe is serious enough to break your nail, it may also cause a fracture or other problem that requires medical attention
Step 5. If your toe injury looks serious, see a doctor
All of the problems mentioned above - toe fractures, hematomas, and nail fractures - should be treated by a doctor. Health professionals can use X-ray machines and other equipment to accurately diagnose your injury. In addition, doctors and nurses are trained to explain how to protect your toes during recovery. Again, it's worth remembering that "most" tripped toe injuries don't require medical attention. However, if you believe your injury is serious, don't hesitate to make an appointment with your doctor.
Prioritize following the doctor's advice rather than the advice you find on the internet. If there is a doctor's recommendation that is different from the instructions in this article, follow the doctor's advice
Tips
- After an injury, pause whatever activity you are currently doing, even if you believe the injury is not serious. Swelling from even a minor tripping injury can make it easier for you to stumble back.
- The reason it's difficult to tell a serious tripping injury from a non-serious tripping injury is that there are so many sensitive nerve endings in the foot. In other words, a minor injury to the sole of the foot can be as painful as a serious injury. As such, it's important to check for signs of serious injury after you trip your toe.
