Big Toe Numbness

Each one of us has experienced foot problems in some way or the other. Some people ignore them as much as they can, while others get scared; and there are still others who get the problem treated at the right time.

Foot problems mainly comprise the emergence of pain in the toes, heels, or ankles. However, many times there could be this nagging numbness and tingling sensation in the foot and toe(s) that could make normal everyday activities quite challenging. The root cause for this problem could widely vary. The following section discusses the same.

Our feet tend to go through a lot in order to keep up with the daily movements required in this hectic lifestyle. There are many reasons that are likely to cause the big toe to go all numb or, as they say in normal terminology, 'fall asleep'. Usually, it is caused due to problems related to blood circulation, nerve damage, damage to the blood vessels in the toe, etc. The following could be the triggering factors for the same.

We own so many different types of shoes, and irrespective of the fact that they are all about style and not about comfort, we still wear them because they look good with our clothes. The toe gets traumatized when we wear ill-fitting or uncomfortable shoes.

The strap or the laces of the shoes can also lead to decreased blood supply in the toes, if they are tied too tightly. If the shoes are loose, then an extra pressure is added to the toes, especially the big toe, as it is used to stop the shoe from slipping off. All this leads to numbness in the area.

The best treatment, in this case, is to stop wearing footwear that trouble your feet, and wear only those shoes that fit properly and comfortably.

This is the second common cause for toe numbness. Bunions are caused due to ill-fitting shoes, weaker joints, lots of physical activity, etc. It is a condition of lateral displacement of the toe and is very painful. Hence, appropriate treatment is important in order to get relief from this problem.

Arthritis and osteoarthritis also cause pain, numbness, and tingling because of the stiffness in the joints. Timely treatment from the doctor is the only way to reduce the problematic symptoms of this condition.

If the toe has been injured in any way, a nerve may have been compressed. Possibly, this compressed nerve may have caused the toe to go numb for a long period of time. The right thing to do here is to get it treated from the doctor, so that the exact problem is diagnosed and the treatment is given accordingly.

Several people are unaware that they suffer from diabetes. People who suffer from numb toes should get themselves checked for diabetes as soon as possible so that nerve damage may be controlled in time. Immediate treatment is crucial to avoid further complications due to the disease.

Often neglected, gout is the condition caused due to the increase in the levels of uric acid in an individual. Tests need to be conducted for corrective diagnosis and treatment.

As mentioned above, one of the reasons associated with the discussed symptom is damage to the blood vessels in the toe. Peripheral neuropathy is the condition wherein the blood vessels (both large and small) are damaged, leading to nerve damage. This induces extreme numbness in the toes. This condition is common in smokers and diabetics, and should not be ignored in any case, as it could possibly lead to permanent damage to the limb(s).

Obese people always suffer from foot problems. Numbness is one of the side effects of obesity. The feet cannot hold the weight of the person and there is less blood supply to the feet. This makes it go numb. Exercise and diet are necessary to avoid this problem.

There are several ways to treat numbness in the big toe. Some of the easier home remedies to treat it are performing some simple foot exercises, regular foot massages, wearing proper and comfortable shoes, stopping the activities that hurt the feet, etc. It is said that prevention is better than cure. So, why not take the necessary precautions to avoid suffering from this problem? It is recommended to get the problem diagnosed in time from the doctor to avoid major problems later on.

Disclaimer: This story is meant for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a replacement for expert medical advice. Kindly consult a trusted physician for accurate diagnosis and treatment.