Swollen Toes - A Laundry List Of Causes

There are so many possible causes of swollen toes it's a wonder we don't walk around with the condition most of the time. Some times the problem is with the toes themselves, at other times swollen toes are a symptom of a systemic disease or disorder, a symptom which should not be ignored.

Much of the time we are aware of why we have swollen toes, either because of a self inflicted injury, or the swelling is due to a torn or a splinter. The most common causes of self inflicted injuries are blunt trauma, such as dropping a bowling ball on your foot, or wearing shoes that are too tight. What woman hasn't taken off her shoes in a movie theater, to find that she can't put them on again?

Swollen toes often result from a condition called cellulitis, the inflammation of the skin tissue. Cellulitis can be brought about by a number of different causes, but typically manifests itself in the form of a rash, redness, soreness, and swelling, not only of the toes but sometimes of the feet and legs as well.

In those instances where the toe itself is the body part that has the problem, soaking the feet in warm water and Epsom salts is often the best treatment, usually providing temporary and at times permanent relief. The swollen toes are symptoms of a systemic disease; the foot bath may still provide relief though not in any sense a cure.

Systemic Causes Of Swelling - A person having certain systemic diseases may often experience swollen toes, and knowing the reason, will not worry about them although may attempt to get some relief. Sometimes heart problems or circulatory disorders can cause the toes, and perhaps the feet as well, to swell. Both heart and circulatory problems can be serious matters. One condition that can cause swollen toes is venous insufficiency. Here, blood in the leg veins is not being efficiently pumped to the heart and consequently pools in the feet and ankle, resulting in swelling, a serious condition.

Our body works in mysterious ways at times. A liver or kidney disorder, both potentially serious, can cause swelling as a symptom. If the lymph system gets out of whack, fluid is retained in different parts of the body, including feet and toes, and swelling can be the result. This condition, called lymphedma is a disease which often follows surgery, especially major surgery, and when hospitalized, compresses or wraps may be put on the legs as a precautionary measure.

Sometimes Walking Is Good, Sometimes Not - Even if the cause behind swollen toes is not anything serious, if left unattended the condition can wreak havoc. When our feet or toes hurt, we often attempt to walk through the pain, hoping that once we're done walking and can get off our feet the pain will go away. Often this works, but sometimes it backfires, which just says that swollen toes should never be completely ignored. Ironically, walking is often one of the best cures or treatments. Just don't try to continue if the condition is becoming increasingly more painful. Something is wrong that needs fixing.

Pay Attention - The next time you have swollen toes, take time to think of why it may be happening. If the bowling ball or tight shoes are responsible, you at least know it's nothing life-threatening. Neither bowling nor tight shoes are known to cause many fatalities. The important thing is, if there is nothing that appears to be causing the problem, and the swelling and discomfort persist, it's a good idea to see a doctor. Your toes may be telling you something you might not want to hear, but still should know about.