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There are lots of causes of toe pain. You can usually ease the pain yourself. But see a GP if the pain does not improve.
If you see a GP about toe pain, they'll usually suggest trying these things:
rest and raise your foot when you can
put an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on your toe for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
wear wide comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole
use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen gel (or ibuprofen tablets if needed)
buddy strap a broken toe – put a small piece of cotton wool or gauze between your sore toe and the next toe, and use tape to loosely strap it up (do not do this for a big toe or a badly broken toe)
try regular gentle stretching exercises
do not walk or stand for long periods
do not wear high heels or tight pointy shoes
If you have toe pain, a pharmacist can advise you about:
These might be signs of a badly broken toe after an injury.
A sore toe is often caused by exercising too much or wearing shoes that are too tight.
Your symptoms might also give you an idea of what's causing your toe pain.
| Symptoms | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Pain or swelling around the nail, nail curls into the toe | Ingrown toe nail |
| Hard bony lump near the big toe | Bunion |
| Pain, tingling and numbness when you're cold or stressed, toes can change colour | Raynaud's or chilblains |
| Pain, swelling, red or bruised toe, hurts to walk | Broken toe |
| Sudden pain, stiffness, red or hot swollen skin around the toe joint | Gout |
Do not worry if you're not sure what the problem is.
Follow the advice on this page and see a GP if the pain does not get better in 2 weeks.
If you have toe pain, you might be able to refer yourself directly to a podiatrist without seeing a GP.
To find out if there are any services in your area:
