When is a stubbed toe serious?
When is a stubbed toe serious?
A stubbed toe is simply a toe that’s been badly slammed, and may show signs of swelling or bruising, but there is no serious injury under the surface. However, a broken toe is a more severe injury with harsher symptoms and greater consequences: prolonged pain, stiffness, infection, and deformity.
When should you go to the doctor for a stubbed toe?
See a doctor if:
- the toe is very swollen.
- the pain is severe and does not go away after several hours.
- it is difficult to walk or to put weight on the foot.
- the toenail falls off or the area around it is very swollen.
- there are signs of infection around the toenail, such as itching, redness, and pus.
How do you know if your toe is jammed?
What are the symptoms of a sprained toe?
- pain, often in the entire toe or even the area around it.
- tenderness.
- swelling.
- bruising.
- trouble moving your toe.
- joint instability.
Why does a stubbed toe hurt so much?
Stubbing your toe hurts so much because you’re slamming a tiny surface with a force equal to 2-3 times your bodyweight. Then a bundle of nerve endings called nociceptors fire a danger signal to your brain.
Can a stubbed toe hurt for days?
When it happens, and for some time after, your toe will hurt no matter whether it’s stubbed or broken. However, while the pain from a stubbed toe will subside, a broken toe will continue to hurt for the rest of the day and even longer. A stubbed toe may result in some bruising or bleeding.
How long should you stay off a broken toe?
Most broken toes will heal on their own with proper care at home. It can take 4 to 6 weeks for complete healing. Most pain and swelling will go away within a few days to a week. If something was dropped on the toe, the area under the toenail can bruise.
What to do if you stubbed your toe really hard?
Home treatments for a stubbed toe
- Rest. Stop using your toe, lie down, and let your body recover.
- Ice. Use ice to numb the pain and reduce swelling.
- Compression. Wrap your toe, or the entire end of your foot and toes, with an elastic bandage to provide support and keep swelling under control.
- Elevation.
What is the fastest way to heal a stubbed toe?
How do I know if my pinky toe is broken or sprained?
The most common symptoms of a broken pinky toe include:
- a popping sound when the injury occurs.
- throbbing pain that’s immediate and may fade after a few hours.
- difficulty putting weight on your foot.
- pinky toe seeming out of alignment.
- swelling and bruising.
- burning.
- a damaged toenail.
How long do stubbed toes take to heal?
This might mean staying off your feet and not wearing constricting shoes for a few days. When cared for correctly, a broken toe can heal in about four to six weeks. Your doctor may also recommend that you pick up some pain medication as well as try buddy taping.