Have you ever had swelling of your toes? Because the causes are so diverse, it is important that you first identify the specific cause before deciding on the appropriate treatment method. However, if the pain persists after self-medicating the toe, or if you suspect arthritis due to gout or a crack in the toe joint, see a doctor immediately!
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Method 1 of 2: Knowing the Cause of Swelling
Step 1. Try to remember if your toe was pinched or crushed by something
Indeed, the condition of injury or trauma can also cause cracks in the toes. If your toe is cracked, the swelling may be accompanied by persistent, stabbing pain.
- A recently fractured toe may also have a bluish or purplish bruise.
- Car accidents can also crack your toes.
Step 2. Watch for swelling that looks red or painful at the edge of the toe
Generally, this condition is caused by an ingrown toenail or commonly known as an ingrown toenail. In addition to your toes looking red and sore, your toenails may also appear to be growing inwards instead of outwards as they should.
- Ingrown toenails most often affect the big toe, although other toes can also be affected.
- Alternatively, your toenails may appear curled inward.
- Ingrown toenails generally occur when the toenails are too long, cut too short, or cut with an irregular shape.
Step 3. Watch for lumps at the base of the toe adjacent to the joint area
If the lump is accompanied by pain that comes and goes, it's most likely a bunion. Also observe the presence or absence of pain and swelling around the finger joints, yes.
Wearing shoes that are too narrow so that they are prone to sticking together the thumb and forefinger are also common causes of bunions. If all this time you always wear shoes that tend to be narrow, maybe that's the habit that triggers inflammation
Step 4. Watch for intense and sudden pain in the swollen leg area
If the pain appears suddenly, it is most likely a symptom of an attack of arthritis due to gout. In fact, this condition is a form of inflammation that is very painful and often attacks the toe area. In particular, arthritis due to gout is caused by a buildup of uric acid levels in the body. Because the impact can be harmful to the body, immediately consult a doctor when experiencing it!
- Arthritis from gout is more likely if you eat too much red meat and seafood, drink large amounts of alcohol regularly, are overweight, or have a family history of gout.
- If arthritis due to gout affects one of the joints of the toes, the area of the skin around it will look red and shiny, although this kind of symptom does not always appear.
- Chances are, your toes will also feel stiff and slightly hot to the touch.
Step 5. Watch for pain or swelling in the soles of your feet, especially in the area under your toes
This condition may be a symptom of capsulitis on the index toe, which is a medical disorder that causes inflammation of the ligaments in the joints around the index toe. In addition to feeling pain, you may also feel a lumpy sensation (such as when there are marbles under the soles of your feet) when walking.
The main cause of capsulitis is an abnormality in the mechanics of the foot which is usually caused by the shape of your foot. For example, the shape of your foot may allow most of the weight to be borne by the area under your toes. As a result, capsulitis is prone to occur
Step 6. Consult for a possible fungal infection of the foot if your nails appear thickened or discolored
Sometimes, severe cases of fungal infection can spread to the surface of the skin around the nail. As a result, the affected area will feel pain and look swollen. If the skin around your toenails looks red and swollen, try to identify the presence or absence of symptoms of toenail fungus, such as thickening of the nail, discoloration of the nail to a whitish or yellowish color, toenails that break or crack easily, and smelly feet.
- Some of the common risk factors for fungal foot infections are wearing shoes that are too tight, making the feet too damp and sweaty, wearing too much polish, and being barefoot in the bathroom or in a room that is shared with other people.
- If the infection has spread, your doctor may prescribe a combination of antibiotics and antifungals to treat it.
Method 2 of 2: Taking the Right Treatment
Step 1. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever to relieve the pain
In fact, almost all causes of swollen toes can be treated, or at least alleviated, with the help of over-the-counter pain relievers. However, make sure that these drugs are not taken for too long unless otherwise recommended by your doctor.
- To get the best results, also take pain relievers that contain anti-inflammatory benefits such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
- Over-the-counter medicines should not be used as a substitute for professional treatment methods. In other words, if the pain does not go away after a few days, immediately consult a doctor for appropriate treatment recommendations.
Step 2. See a doctor immediately if your toe is cracked
Most likely, the doctor will need to apply a cast to fully restore the condition of the toe. If you don't want to put on a cast, keep your leg elevated and reduce the intensity of the pressure as much as possible.
- If you want, you can also compress the area of the crack with ice cubes for 20 minutes to relieve the pain that appears. Give a pause of at least 1 hour before the leg is re-compressed.
- Don't forget to wrap the ice cubes with a towel before applying it to the skin.
- Cracked toes will generally heal within 4-6 weeks.
Step 3. Soak the soles of the feet 3-4 times a day if you have ingrown toenails
First of all, fill the bucket with warm water and 1-2 tbsp. Epsom salt is unscented. Then, soak your feet in the solution for 15 minutes, then dry them well afterward. This method is effective in softening the skin around the nail and preventing the nail from continuing to grow inward.
- Don't cut your nails! Instead, allow your nails to grow back naturally, in about 1-2 weeks.
- If the toe looks pus-filled, immediately see a doctor because this condition indicates an infection that must be treated immediately.
Step 4. Wear more comfortable shoes for bunions or capsulitis
In particular, wear shoes that are looser and have special cushioning around the finger joints to reduce pressure in the toe and toe area. If possible, avoid activities that are too strenuous and risk increasing pressure on both areas. Also limit the use of high heels that can have a similar negative effect.
- If you have capsulitis, try compressing the sole of your foot with an ice cube to relieve swelling. First, wrap the ice cubes in a towel, then apply it to the swollen area for 20 minutes. Give a pause of at least an hour before the leg is re-compressed.
- Chances are, your forefinger will also need to be bandaged or wrapped with a splint to treat severe cases of capsulitis. Consult the possibility to the doctor, yes!
- Check with your doctor if the pain does not subside after a few days of self-medication, or if the pain starts to interfere with your daily activities.
Step 5. Change your diet and lifestyle to relieve the symptoms of gout
Indeed, arthritis due to gout can be prevented, or at least reduced in frequency by lowering uric acid levels in the body. Therefore, avoid foods with high uric acid levels, drink as much water as possible every day, apply a balanced diet, and exercise regularly.
- Generally, it takes about 3 days to relieve the symptoms of arthritis due to gout with the help of medical treatment.
- Arthritis due to gout can have a serious impact on the health of the body and requires special handling. If you feel you are experiencing it, immediately consult a doctor to get the right diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
- If necessary, you can also take drugs to lower uric acid levels in the body. Some types of drugs commonly prescribed by doctors are allopurinol, febuxostat, and benzbromarone.
Step 6. Soak the soles of the feet in an essential oil solution to reduce swelling
In fact, certain types of essential oils can help relieve pain and swelling caused by medical disorders that affect the toes, such as rheumatoid arthritis. To make this solution, all you need to do is pour a few drops of essential oil that contains anti-inflammatory properties into a tub or bucket of warm (or warm salt) water, then soak the swollen leg area in it for 15-20 minutes. Some types of essential oils that are worth trying are:
- eucalyptus
- Frankincense or frankincense
- Ginger
- lavender
- night primrose
- Turmeric
- Basil or basil basil
Step 7. Use over-the-counter or prescription medications to treat fungal disorders
If over-the-counter antifungal creams don't treat the infection within 3-6 weeks, see your doctor for a prescription for a more potent medication. Generally, foot fungus can be treated with oral or topical antifungal medications and usually, these medications should be used for 6 to 12 weeks for maximum results.
