Toe pain can happen for a few different reasons.

Treatment for toe pain depends on the underlying cause.

It may involve medications, physical therapy, or in some cases surgery.

Young Black man suffering from foot pain while sitting on bedding

LightFieldStudios / Getty Images

Turf Toe

Turf toeis a sprain that happens when the big toe bends too far backward during specific movements.

Toe Fracture

A broken bone (fracture) can occur in any of the toes.

Corns and Calluses

Thickened areas of skin, such ascorns and calluses, develop from repeated friction or pressure.

Blisters

Fluid-filledblistersform when pressure builds up under the skin.

Cutting your toenail improperly, nail deformities, and ill-fitting footwear increase the chances of developing aningrown toenail.

Ingrown toenails can cause redness, swelling, pain, and sometimes bleeding and infections.

If left untreated, the infection can spread, causing further discomfort and potentially affecting the surrounding tissue.

Vitamin Deficiencies

Vitamin B12andvitamin Dare essential for bone and nerve health.

Chronic Conditions

Chronic problems that can lead to toe pain include the following.

Osteoarthritis

The degenerative joint diseaseosteoarthritiscauses pain, stiffness, and inflammation in joints due to the breakdown of cartilage.

It can affect any joint, but when it affects the big toe, it’s called hallux rigidus.

The pain develops gradually over time, often worsened by aging or an injury.

This condition can cause numbness, pain, and noticeable color changes in the affected areas.

This nerve compression can also radiate pain to the toes, resulting in discomfort and sensitivity.

Risk factors include poor footwear or foot problems like flat feet.

Bunions are most often resulting from wearing tight shoes that compress the toes.

Bunions can be painful, and the altered alignment of the big toe joint can make walking uncomfortable.

Claw and Hammer Toes

Claw toes and hammer toes are toe problems that cause pain.

These issues are more common in adults, especially those with bunions, arthritis, or past foot injuries.

It causes redness, swelling, and pain in the affected toes or fingers.

Heart Disease

Toe pain is not a typical symptom or warning sign ofheart disease.

That said, if you’re concerned, its always a good idea to consult a healthcare provider.

If your toe pain persists longer than a week, contact your healthcare provider.

They can determine the underlying cause and help you get started with the appropriate treatment.

Proper treatment may be necessary to ensure the injury heals correctly.

What Causes Sharp Toe Pain?

Treatment options may include:

Will Toe Pain Go Away?

Most causes of toe pain can be effectively treated, and with proper care, the pain usually improves.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Toe and forefoot fractures.

2023;16(1):35. doi:10.1186/s13047-023-00631-1

Mount Sinai.Fungal nail infection.

Yale Medicine.Vitamin D deficiency.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Vitamin B12 deficiency.

Harvard Health Publishing.Big toe got you down?

It may be hallux rigidus.

2020 May;10(5):e036903.

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-036903

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Raynaud’s phenomenon.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Foot pain and problems.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Tarsal tunnel syndrome.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout.

Malhotra K, Davda K, Singh D.The pathology and management of lesser toe deformities.EFORT Open Rev.

2022 Aug;146(12).

doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001089

University of Utah Health.Foot injuries: When to see a doctor.