This article will detail the most common causes of red toes and the typical treatments forthem.
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 persons nose, ears, or heels.
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Fractures
Fractures in the footare fairly common and can cause redness or other discoloration in the toes.
People with this condition may also experience bruising in the affected area and or difficulty walking due to pain.
It happens 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.
Other stimuli, like stress, may also cause the color changes to occur.
Raynauds can also cause the fingers and hands to throb, tingle, or turn blue or white.
Circulatory Concerns
Red toes may indicate an issue with your circulatory health.
Diabetes
Uncontrolled diabetescommonly leads to sensory issues and poor circulation in the feet.
This makes it more likely that youll develop a cut or sore on your foot without knowing it.
It can also slow down your bodys ability to heal a toe or foot wound.
Because of this, the risk of toe and foot infections increases in people with diabetes.
Discoloration sparked by gout is often sudden and sharply painful.
This inability to sense a problem makes this condition so dangerous.
This is especially true if your redness is new, worsening, or accompanied by pain.
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.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes and foot problems.January 2017.
Kaiser Permanente.Chilblains (perniosis).
November 16, 2023.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Ingrown toenails.
