When you visit a podiatrist, they will complete a healthy foot checkup and determine the cause of your toe pain. Strangely enough, some causes of toe pain may seem completely unrelated.
The shape of your foot and your gait can play a crucial role in whether you develop toe pain and other foot conditions. This is determined by your genetics.
Stress
If you spend a lot of time on your feet at work or while playing sports, you might put too much strain and pressure on your toes and other areas of the foot. Without proper rest and stretching of the foot, this can result in toe pain and injury.
Diabetes
Diabetes can lead to blisters and sores on the toes and other areas of the foot. If left untreated for too long, these blisters and sores may turn into ulcers.
Other foot complications related to diabetes include calluses, fungal infections of the nails, athlete’s foot, and warts. Fungal infections can cause toe pain near the nail beds.
This is one of the most common causes of toe pain, but it only presents a problem when it flares up. Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by a buildup of acid crystals in the joints.
You might not suspect that you can develop sprains in your toes, especially if you wear shoes on a regular basis. Even so, it can happen. Sprains can lead to turf toe, which results in painful swelling and an inability to move the affected toe.
The toe bones are as fragile as they are strong. You might not immediately notice a fracture or breakage of the toe, so it’s important to seek medical attention after a harsh impact to the toe where pain does not dissipate.
A common cause of nerve damage is Morton’s neuroma. In these cases, your toes could feel numb, or you might experience a tingling sensation. A burning pain or a feeling as if you’re standing barefoot on pebbles is associated with nerve damage.