- 7 Main causes of toe pain
- 1. Tight shoe
- 2. Bunion
- 3. Corns
- 4. Ingrown nail
- 5. Arthrosis or arthritis
- 6. Claw or hammer fingers
- 7. Morton's neuroma
Foot pain can easily be caused by the use of inappropriate shoes, calluses or even diseases or deformities that affect joints and bones, such as arthritis, gout or morton neuroma, for example.
Usually, the pain in the feet can be relieved with rest, a scalding feet or a local massage with moisturizer, however, when it takes more than 5 days to relieve it is recommended to consult an orthopedist to identify if there is any problem in the foot, starting the proper treatment.
7 Main causes of toe pain
Although several problems can affect the feet, the main causes of toe pain include:
1. Tight shoe
The use of inappropriate shoes is the most common cause of pain in the toes and other places of the foot, because shoes that are too tight, with a pointed toe or that are too rigid can cause deformities of the feet and even inflammation of the joints, when used for a long time. time.
What to do: wear comfortable shoes that do not pinch your feet too much. In addition, it is recommended that the shoe has a small heel of about 2 to 3 cm to allow good foot support.
2. Bunion
The bunion causes pain especially in the side of the foot, but in some cases, it can also cause pain in the toes. In this case it is easy to see that the bones of the feet are not properly aligned, which causes inflammation and pain.
What to do: Putting a cold compress on the site of pain helps to relieve this symptom, but you need to exercise to correct your feet. Find out what they are and other tips to cure the bunion.
In addition, there are exercises that can help to reduce the bunion or even prevent its appearance. Watch the following video and see how to do these exercises:
3. Corns
Calluses, also known as corns, are caused by the accumulation of dead cells in the most superficial layer of the skin that happens due to the constant pressure on the feet, especially on the side of the toe.
What to do: an orthopedic insole can be used to protect the calluses during the day and to avoid the appearance of pain when walking, for example. However, it is also recommended to remove the callus using ointments or pumice after bathing. See how in: Callosity.
4. Ingrown nail
The ingrown nail is very common in cases where the nails are not cut properly, allowing them to stick to the skin. In this case, ingrown nails cause the appearance of wounds and swelling.
What to do: go to the health center or a podiatrist to clear the nail, however, at home, you can put your foot in a basin with warm water for 20 minutes to relieve the pain. Find out more about: How to treat ingrown toenails.
5. Arthrosis or arthritis
Rheumatism problems, such as osteoarthritis or arthritis, can arise in the joints of the toes, especially in athletes or the elderly, causing pain when walking and swelling in the joint area.
What to do: you should consult an orthopedist to start the appropriate treatment of the problem with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen or Diclofenac. In addition, at home, you can scald your feet at the end of the day to relieve pain. See a recipe for scalding feet: Home remedy for arthritis and osteoarthritis.
6. Claw or hammer fingers
Claw or hammer toes are two deformities of the foot that cause wrong toe alignment, increasing pressure on these places during the day and causing pain.
What to do: an orthopedist should be consulted to make the correct repositioning of the finger with the use of orthopedic splints. In addition, using orthopedic insoles can also help to relieve pressure on the toes and reduce pain.
7. Morton's neuroma
Morton's neuroma is a small mass that appears in the digital plantar nerve that is found between the 3rd 3 4th toe, causing pain between those 2 fingers and a tingling sensation in the instep.
What to do: comfortable shoes with orthopedic insole should be used to relieve pressure on the site, as well as taking anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by the orthopedist. In the most severe cases, surgery may be necessary. See when to have neuroma surgery at: Morton's neuroma surgery.
But in addition to these causes, there are also others, so if the pain in the feet is very intense or constant, and disrupt the day-to-day, it is important to seek help from a doctor or physiotherapist, so that they can identify what is causing this symptom and recommend treatment, which may include medications, corticosteroid infiltrations, physiotherapy sessions, and ultimately, surgery.