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How to Get Rid of Callus on Big Toe

eMedicineHealth

Why Are My Toes Numb?

Reviewed on 9/16/2020

  • Causes
    • What Causes Numb Toes?
  • Other Symptoms
    • What Symptoms May Accompany Toe Numbness?
  • Treatment
    • What Is the Treatment for Numb Toes?
  • Guide
    • Why Are My Toes Numb? Topic Guide

What Causes Numb Toes?

A number of neurological conditions and others can cause toe numbness.

A number of neurological conditions and others can cause toe numbness.

There are numerous causes for toe numbness.

  • Diabetic neuropathy
    • Nerve damage related to chronic elevated blood sugar levels
  • Morton's neuroma
    • Swelling and scar tissue around a nerve that leads to the toes
  • Metatarsalgia
    • Inflammation in the metatarsals, the bones closest to the toes
  • Raynaud's phenomenon
    • The blood vessels (usually in the fingers and toes) constrict in in response to cold or emotional stress
  • Guillain-Barre syndrome
    • The body's immune system attacks and damages the covering around the nerves
  • Stroke
  • Brain or spinal cord injury
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Infections such as Lyme disease or syphilis
  • Side effects of chemotherapy
  • Vitamin B12 deficiency

See a doctor if you have toe numbness and:

  • The numbness comes on suddenly
  • The numbness spreads quickly
  • You had a recent head injury just prior to the numb toes
  • You have trouble walking
  • Weakness
  • Difficulty thinking or speaking
  • Numbness is accompanied by a severe headache or dizziness
  • Your hand, arm or fingers on the same side as the toes are also numb

What Symptoms May Accompany Toe Numbness?

Other symptoms that may accompany toe numbness include:

Diabetic neuropathy

  • Pain, burning, and tingling in the toes or feet
  • Extreme sensitivity to light touch
  • Pain may be worst at rest and improves with activity
  • Usually affects both sides of the body
  • Symptoms may gradually move up the legs; if the mid-calves are affected, symptoms may develop in the hands
  • Over time, the ability to sense pain may be lost

Morton's neuroma

  • Pain that increases with activity and is usually felt between the third and fourth toes

Metatarsalgia

  • Pain in the ball of the foot

Raynaud's syndrome (also called Raynaud's phenomenon)

  • Fingers (or toes) become suddenly cold
  • Skin color changes markedly and may become pale (called a "white attack") or a purple or blue color (called a "blue attack")
  • "Pins and needles" feeling, aching, or clumsiness of the affected hand(s)
  • The skin of the ears, nose, face, knees, and nipples can also be affected, and may become pale or bluish in color after cold exposure
  • Mottling (a bluish discoloration) of the skin of the arms and legs

Guillain-Barre syndrome

  • Muscle weakness
  • Vision problems
  • Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking
  • "Pins and needles" sensations in the hands and feet
  • Severe pain, especially at night
  • Problems with coordination and unsteadiness
  • Abnormal heart beat or blood pressure
  • Problems with digestion
  • Bladder control problems

Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency: if you have any symptoms call 911 and get to a hospital's emergency department immediately

  • Weakness
  • Confusion
  • Problems seeing and speaking
  • Drooping on one side of your face

Brain or spinal cord injury

  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Numbness in the feet
  • Problems walking
  • Difficulty speaking or concentrating
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle spasms
  • Weakness
  • Vision problems
  • Dizziness and spinning sensation (vertigo)
  • Bladder problems
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Constipation
  • Infections

Lyme disease

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle and joint aches
  • Swollen lymph nodes may occur in the absence of rash
  • Erythema migrans (EM) rash, often has a "bullseye" or "target" appearance

Syphilis

  • Single sore or multiple sores that is usually (but not always) firm, round, and painless
  • Skin rashes that are rough, red, or reddish-brown spots on the palms of the hands and/or the bottoms of the feet.
  • Mucous membrane lesions in the mouth, vagina, or anus
  • Fever
  • Swollen lymph glands
  • Sore throat
  • Patchy hair loss
  • Headaches
  • Weight loss
  • Muscle aches
  • Fatigue

Side effects of chemotherapy

  • "Pins and needles" feeling
  • Burning of hands and/or feet
  • Numbness around mouth
  • Loss of positional sense (knowing where a body part is without looking)
  • Weakness and cramping or pain in hands
  • Difficulty picking things up or buttoning clothes

Vitamin B12 deficiency

  • Pale yellow tinge to the skin
  • Sore and red tongue
  • Mouth ulcers
  • "Pins and needles" sensation
  • Changes in gait and movement
  • Vision problems
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Changes in thinking, feeling, and behavior
  • Dementia

SLIDESHOW

How Diabetes Can Affect Your Feet See Slideshow

What Is the Treatment for Numb Toes?

Treatment for numb toes depends on the cause.

  • Diabetic neuropathy treatment involves
    • Strict control of blood sugar levels
    • Foot care to prevent complications
    • Pain control
  • Morton's neuroma treatment involves
    • Avoiding high heels and tight shoes
    • Use of shoe inserts
    • Corticosteroid shots for pain
  • Metatarsalgia treatment involves
    • Resting the foot
    • Ice
    • Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve)
    • Wearing sturdy shoes with good cushioning and arch and heel support
    • Use of orthotics
  • Raynaud's phenomenon treatment involves
    • Avoid sudden cold exposure
    • Don't smoke
    • Avoid medications that narrow blood vessels (vasoconstriction) such as decongestants containing phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine, amphetamines, diet pills, migraine medicines with ergotamine, herbs containing ephedra, and medications used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) such as methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine-amphetamine, and atomoxetine
    • Practice stress reduction techniques
    • Medications
    • Calcium channel blockers
    • Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors
    • Topical nitrates
    • Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
    • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  • Guillain-Barre syndrome treatment involves
    • Plasma exchange
    • Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG)
  • Stroke treatment involves
    • Tissue plasminogen activator – r-tPA (alteplase)
    • Mechanical thrombectomy
    • Endovascular catheter
  • Multiple sclerosis treatment involves
    • Steroids
    • Disease-modifying therapy
  • Infections such as Lyme disease and syphilis treatment involves
    • Antibiotics
    • Vitamin B12 deficiency treatment involves
    • Vitamin supplementation

Reviewed on 9/16/2020

References

How to Get Rid of Callus on Big Toe

Source: https://www.emedicinehealth.com/why_are_my_toes_numb/article_em.htm