Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsConditionsDescription and FeelingWarming Red ToesMedicationsWhen It’s SeriousSeeing a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Conditions
Description and Feeling
Warming Red Toes
Medications
When It’s Serious
Seeing a Provider
Redness in your toes might be concerning at first, but this type of color change is not always serious. Many different things, including cold weather or an infected toenail, can cause your foot to appear flush or inflamed.
Whether it’s one red toe or more diffuse color changes, paying attention to the accompanying symptoms can help clue you in on whether your issue is serious.
This article will detail the most common causes of red toes and the typical treatments forthem.
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Conditions With Red Toes as a Symptom
The most common conditions that cause toe redness include:
Cold Weather (Chilblains)
In some people, redness or color changes in the toes may simply be a reaction to cold temperatures. Also known aschilblainsor pernio, this condition causes localized redness and swelling to develop in the toes and fingers. Less commonly, these color changes may also impact a person’s nose, ears, or heels.
This reaction typically occurs 12 to 24 hours after a person is exposed to cool or damp weather, making it more likely to develop during the winter months. In addition to color changes, chilblains may cause skin bumps, itching, burning, or lesions to develop.
Chilblains: Everything You Need to Know
Chilblains and COVID-19Chilblains and the associated skin lesions have been reported as a relatively common side-effect of COVID-19.
Chilblains and COVID-19
Chilblains and the associated skin lesions have been reported as a relatively common side-effect of COVID-19.
Fractures
Fractures in the footare fairly common and can cause redness or other discoloration in the toes. They usually occur when a heavy item is dropped on the foot or after accidentally stubbing your toes into a hard object.
Stress fracturescan also develop gradually if the foot or toes are subjected to repetitive forces, like those associated with distance running or basketball. People with this condition may also experience bruising in the affected area and or difficulty walking due to pain.
Ingrown Toenail
Ingrown toenailsoccur when a nail’s side or corner portion begins to irritate and cut into the surrounding skin. This issue, which usually develops because of restrictive footwear or improperly trimmed nails, can cause localized redness, swelling, or pain to develop in the affected toe. While ingrown toenails most commonly occur in the big toe, they can develop in any of the foot’s digits.
Gout
Goutis an extremely painful condition that can cause redness, warmth, and sensitivity in the big toe. It occurs when high levels of uric acid in the body cause microscopic crystals to form in a joint.
These jagged structures irritate the lining of the joint, causing inflammation and redness to develop. Gout-associated color changes in a toe typically come on quickly and frequently develop in the middle of the night.
Raynaud’s Syndrome
Raynaud’ssyndrome is a circulatory condition that makes the blood vessels in the hands and feet more reactive to cold temperatures. People with this disease frequently experience finger or toe redness after coming into contact with even mildly cool objects, like a glass of cold water.
Other stimuli, like stress, may also cause the color changes to occur. Raynaud’s can also cause the fingers and hands to throb, tingle, or turn blue or white.
Circulatory ConcernsRed toes may indicate an issue with your circulatory health. While Raynaud’s disease is frequently to blame, less common causes likea blood clot,venous insufficiency, or peripheral artery disease should also be considered.
Circulatory Concerns
Red toes may indicate an issue with your circulatory health. While Raynaud’s disease is frequently to blame, less common causes likea blood clot,venous insufficiency, or peripheral artery disease should also be considered.
Diabetes
Uncontrolled diabetescommonly leads to sensory issues and poor circulation in the feet. This makes it more likely that you’ll develop a cut or sore on your foot without knowing it. It can also slow down your body’s ability to heal a toe or foot wound.
What Causes a Purple Finger?
Because of this, the risk of toe and foot infections increases in people with diabetes. These infections can cause redness, pain, and warmth in the wounded area and the regions that surround it. In severe cases, gangrene may eventually develop in the foot or toe, and the region may become black and have a bad odor.
Describing Red Toe Discoloration and Feeling
The discoloration from a fractured toe may take a few hours or even a day to develop, though the pain typically starts almost immediately after the trauma.
4 Common Conditions That Affect Your Toes
How to Warm Cold, Red Toes
Warming the toes in hot water should be avoided as it can cause color changes to reoccur and may also lead to intense itching or stinging.
Medications to Treat Red Toes
Depending on the cause of your red toes, several different medications may be used for treatment. These include:
When Could Red Toes Be Serious
While some types of toe redness are common and relatively harmless, others could indicate a serious issue. Gout or fracture-associated redness can lead to significant pain, difficulty walking, or bone and joint damage if left untreated.
Chronic Raynaud’s or chilblains can cause damage to the surrounding skin tissue in the toe and even lead to ulceration or gangrene.
Uncontrolled diabetes can have several significant long-termconsequences for feet, including:
Bringing Up Symptoms to a Provider
Be sure to tell your medical provider when you first noticed the color changes and detail any other symptoms you’re experiencing. While you may be tempted to ignore redness in your toes, getting your foot evaluated is the easiest way to determine the cause and treatments.
Summary
Exposure to cold temperatures may cause redness or discoloration in the toes, especially in people with Chilblains or Raynaud’s disease. Redness can also be the result of an ingrown toenail or a fracture of the toe after a trauma. Gout may be to blame if the toe color changes are sudden and excruciating. In uncontrolled diabetics, toe redness may indicate a wound or infection due to sensory deficits.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes and foot problems.January 2017.Kaiser Permanente.Chilblains (perniosis). November 16, 2023.Dubey S, Joshi N, Stevenson O, Gordon C, Reynolds JA.Chilblains in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: a review.Rheumatology.2022;61(12):4631-4642. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keac231American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Toe and forefoot fractures. November 2021.American Academy of Family Physicians.Ingrown toenails. March 2021.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gout. 2023.Arthritis Foundation.Raynaud’s disease. 2024.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes and foot problems.January 2017.Kaiser Permanente.Chilblains (perniosis). November 16, 2023.Dubey S, Joshi N, Stevenson O, Gordon C, Reynolds JA.Chilblains in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: a review.Rheumatology.2022;61(12):4631-4642. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keac231American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Toe and forefoot fractures. November 2021.American Academy of Family Physicians.Ingrown toenails. March 2021.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gout. 2023.Arthritis Foundation.Raynaud’s disease. 2024.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes and foot problems.January 2017.Kaiser Permanente.Chilblains (perniosis). November 16, 2023.Dubey S, Joshi N, Stevenson O, Gordon C, Reynolds JA.Chilblains in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: a review.Rheumatology.2022;61(12):4631-4642. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keac231American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Toe and forefoot fractures. November 2021.American Academy of Family Physicians.Ingrown toenails. March 2021.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gout. 2023.Arthritis Foundation.Raynaud’s disease. 2024.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes and foot problems.January 2017.
Kaiser Permanente.Chilblains (perniosis). November 16, 2023.
Dubey S, Joshi N, Stevenson O, Gordon C, Reynolds JA.Chilblains in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: a review.Rheumatology.2022;61(12):4631-4642. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keac231
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Toe and forefoot fractures. November 2021.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Ingrown toenails. March 2021.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gout. 2023.
Arthritis Foundation.Raynaud’s disease. 2024.
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