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Home > Bones & Joints > Foot Health > 5 Home Remedies for a Sore Big Toe and Self-Care Tips

5 Home Remedies for a Sore Big Toe and Self-Care Tips

December 30, 2022
5 min read
By Dr. Arif Maghribi Khan, MBBS, MD | Mental Health Counselor

In this article:

  • Home Treatments for a Sore Big Toe
  • Most-Asked Questions About a Sore Big Toe
  • Final Word

A sore big toe may seem harmless but can be a major inconvenience. It can negatively impact your balance and ability to walk and interfere with your everyday activities.

home remedies and tips to soothe a sore big toe

While there may be many causes of pain in the toes, the remedies are usually simple and universal. This article lists some effective home treatments for a sore big toe.

Home Treatments for a Sore Big Toe

Here are some easy treatments you can try to alleviate the pain from a sore big toe.

1. Rest, apply ice, and elevate

If you have stubbed or injured your toe, the RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) method is a good way to numb the pain. (1)

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Ice can help reduce inflammation and pain as the cold temperature numbs the nerve endings. Elevating the toe also helps reduce inflammation by draining excess fluid from the injury.

Use an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel to compress the toe for 15–20 minutes at a time. Do not apply ice directly to the skin. (2)(3)

2. Soak in warm water

a warm water soak can help relieve sore toe pain

Warm water can also be a similar quick remedy for pain. You can use a warm water soak for pain relief if you are sure there is no abscess or pus collection in the toe.

The warmth helps increase blood flow to the area, and adding a little salt to the warm water may also help prevent infections. (4)

3. Wear wide comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole

Toe pain caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes is a common problem among all age groups. Wearing the correct shoe size and type for your comfort is important to avoid wear and tear on the feet.

If you have toe pain, try to avoid wearing high heels. Instead, opt for comfortable flats. You can also get special orthotic shoes made. (5)

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4. Perform gentle stretching exercises

performing simple stretching exercises can help relieve sore big toe pain

Stretching exercises to help ease joint pain are recommended by physiotherapists and doctors alike. They can be helpful in people suffering from toe pain due to arthritis, hammertoes, or bunions.

You can consult a podiatrist or physiotherapist to get some guidance on the correct way to perform gentle stretching exercises for toe pain. (6)

Here’s an easy and simple stretching exercise:

  1. Keep your toe straight for 5–6 seconds.
  2. Curl them inward for another 5 seconds.
  3. Repeat at least 10 times in a row.

5. Use toe stretchers

Toe stretchers are products designed to separate your toes from each other and also from your soles. This helps alleviate toe pain and reduce problems such as bunions.

Toe stretchers are usually made of plastic or silicone and sit in between your toes. Nowadays, they are also available in the form of socks.

You should wear toe stretchers while resting. Do not wear them excessively as this can increase the toe pain initially. (7)

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Additional Self-Care Tips to Deal With Sore Big Toe

Here are some self-care tips you can use in your day-to-day life:

1. Slim down if you’re overweight

try shedding some weight if you are overweight to reduce stress on feet

If you are overweight or obese, the extra weight may be contributing to the increased pressure on your knees and feet. Every pound you lose will help reduce this pressure and the pain or soreness in your lower extremities. (8)

Staying active and exercising regularly help you stay in shape and improve blood circulation. Low-intensity exercises such as walking, jogging, and swimming are ideal.

Try to get half an hour of aerobic exercise every day. (9)

2. Try glucosamine and chondroitin supplements

These supplements can help protect your cartilage and prevent chronic pain.

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3. Ensure adequate calcium intake

People suffering from hypothyroidism tend to have decreased calcium levels in the blood. (10) Consult your doctor for the proper guidance.

Most-Asked Questions About a Sore Big Toe

Why does my big toe feel numb?

Wearing tight shoes, gout, or osteoarthritis are common reasons for numbness in the big toe.

How do I know if I broke or sprained my toe?

Bruising, swelling, change in shape, and/or pain while moving are common symptoms of a sprained or broken toe.

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What are the things to avoid after a toe injury?

Do not wear heels or tight footwear. Try to avoid walking or standing for long periods.

Final Word

Big toe pain is a common yet annoying problem to deal with. Try the home remedies given above for quick relief.

If your toe pain continues, it may be best to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Continue Reading Continue ReadingPossible Causes of Sore Big Toe, Common Symptoms, and Treatment
References
  1. Aran F, Ponnarasu S, Scott AT. Turf Toe. [Updated 2021 Oct 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507810/.
  2. Wang ZR, Ni GX. Is it time to put traditional cold therapy in rehabilitation of soft-tissue injuries out to pasture?. World J Clin Cases. 2021;9(17):4116-4122. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i17.4116.
  3. Brantingham JW, Cassa TK. Manipulative and Multimodal Therapies in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Great Toe: A Case Series. J Chiropr Med. 2015;14(4):270-278. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2015.07.003.
  4. Dulski A, Edwards CW. Paronychia. [Updated 2022 Apr 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544307/.
  5. Buldt AK, Menz HB. Incorrectly fitted footwear, foot pain and foot disorders: a systematic search and narrative review of the literature. J Foot Ankle Res. 2018;11:43. Published 2018 Jul 28. doi:10.1186/s13047-018-0284-z.
  6. Apostolopoulos N, Metsios GS, Flouris AD, Koutedakis Y, Wyon MA. The relevance of stretch intensity and position-a systematic review. Front Psychol. 2015;6:1128. Published 2015 Aug 18. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01128.
  7. Ying J, Xu Y, István B, Ren F. Adjusted Indirect and Mixed Comparisons of Conservative Treatments for Hallux Valgus: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(7):3841. Published 2021 Apr 6. doi:10.3390/ijerph18073841.
  8. Ryan DH, Yockey SR. Weight loss and improvement in comorbidity: Differences at 5%, 10%, 15%, and over. Current obesity reports. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5497590/. Published June 2017.
  9. Villafañe JH. Exercise and osteoarthritis: An update. Journal of exercise rehabilitation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6165969/. Published August 24, 2018.
  10. Mackawy AMH, Al-Ayed BM, Al-Rashidi BM. Vitamin D deficiency and its association with thyroid disease. International journal of health sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3921055/. Published November 2013.
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