Swollen toes can be caused by trauma, physical strain, or medical conditions such as gout, arthritis, infections, and blood clots. Ill-fitting footwear or environmental irritants can also be a factor. Treatment options include medication, surgery, and wearing loose-fitting shoes and socks.
Toe swelling can be caused by trauma, physical strain, or an underlying medical condition. Broken bones or bruised ligaments and tendons from blunt trauma often result in swollen toes. Tendinitis and muscle inflammation frequently affect athletes and those who practice exercises involving the legs. Other physical problems that may be responsible for toes swelling include gout, infections, allergic reactions, blood clots, and arthritis. Some types of toe swelling can be attributed to ill-fitting footwear or environmental irritants.
Traumatic toe injuries often occur when something heavy is dropped on the toe or the foot collides with an object during physical activity. Broken bones and bruises can cause swollen toes, and an x-ray is often used to determine the severity of the injury. Strained ligaments can also cause swelling when the trauma causes the toes to bend or stretch unnaturally.
Those who are physically active may gradually strain their toes, especially when they haven’t stretched properly before exercise or are exercising too strenuously. Swollen toes caused by gradual straining may not be immediately apparent, and the injury may be severe and painful before the swelling is noticed. Inflammation of the tendons, the tissue that connects the bones in your toes, can cause swelling and pain in your vision, as well as trauma to the sacs of fluid that sit between the tissue and bone. The toe joints may also become swollen and tender to the touch.
Swollen fingers that cannot be attributed to physical injury or strain may be the result of a medical disorder. Swollen toes are often associated with gout, a condition in which excess uric acid crystallizes in the joints and tendons, resulting in swollen toes that are red and warm to the touch. Other medical causes include arthritis, infections and blood clots. A doctor can extract fluid from the affected joint to determine the cause, and swelling from such conditions can usually be cured or controlled with medication or surgery.
Sometimes common irritants, such as allergens, hot weather, and restrictive footwear, can cause swollen toes. Allergies can be controlled with medications or by avoiding triggers. Those experiencing toe swelling without a medical explanation will often be advised to wear loose-fitting shoes and socks, and to go barefoot whenever possible. An orthopedic or podiatrist may be able to recommend special socks and footwear designed to reduce swelling and promote circulation.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
