You may have heard one of the many myths surrounding broken toes: that it will heal on its own, or that it’s okay as long as you can still walk on it. While reassuring, these common misconceptions are entirely false, and can have potentially severe consequences. Leaving a broken toe untreated can result in various complications, from misaligned bones and infection to arthritis and permanent foot pain. The thought of a doctor visit or hospital bill may make you cringe at first, but your feet will thank you for it in the long run.

Here is a look at the signs that your toe is broken, the dangers of avoiding treatment, and the steps you need to take to make sure your toe heals properly.

Signs Your Toe Is Broken

Even the smallest of accidents can result in toe trauma: dropping an object on the foot or stubbing your toe are common misfortunes that often lead to injury. Moreover, repetitive trauma to the toe over time can result in a stress fracture. While it’s tempting to try to tough it out, it’s important to listen to your pain to identify whether or not your toe is fractured.

It usually requires significant force to break a bone, although a little less so for the toes since their bones are so small. Regardless, the instance of fracture will be extremely painful. The toe will begin to swell as the fractured bone bleeds, resulting in bruising as the blood reaches the skin. You may also see blood pool beneath the toenail. In many cases an injury to the toe also involves damage to the toenail, which further increases your risk of infection should the toenail expose the tissue underneath. The fracture usually makes it extremely painful to walk, although this is not always the case. Even if you can still manage to walk on the toe, that doesn’t eliminate the possibility of a fracture.

Seek prompt medical attention if your toe shows signs of:

• Swelling
• Pain
• Bruising, or blue or gray spots surrounding the site of trauma
• Stiffness
• Trouble Walking
• Deformity
• Infection
• Bleeding, especially beneath the toenail
• Coldness, numbness, or a tingling sensation indicative of nerve damage

Complications of an Untreated Broken Toe

Leaving a broken toe untreated can have serious and long term complications, including, but not limited to:

• Infection: If the injury has left an open wound, or especially if there is damage to the toenail, you are at risk of contracting an infection. Any exposure of a broken bone can lead to a bone infection (osteomyelitis), which is usually caused by the bacteria staphylococcus aureus. Once diagnosed, your doctor may implement antibiotics straight into the bloodstream intravenously, or you may need to take medication for up to six weeks. If the infection is severe, your doctor may have to perform surgery to remove the infected bone.
• Compound fracture: A compound fracture is when a broken bone penetrates the skin, leaving the bone vulnerable to infection.
• Deformity: An untreated broken toe has a high likelihood of healing incompletely or improperly, potentially resulting in crookedness or deformity which may require corrective surgery down the road.
• Osteoarthritis: An improperly healed fracture can lead to a future of osteoarthritis as you age, generalized foot pain and discomfort, as well as an increased likelihood of further foot injury.

Toe Fracture Diagnosis and Treatment

Your podiatrist will order an X-ray to confirm a toe fracture. Once properly diagnosed, a mild toe fracture can be treated at home under the guidance of your trusted podiatrist. Home treatment essentials include elevating the foot above the level of the heart in order to decrease swelling, icing the injury for 20 minutes every 2 hours for the first 2 days, and of course rest and crutches to avoid bearing weight on the injury while you recover. OTC acetaminophen or ibuprofen should be sufficient for coping with the pain, although your doctor may prescribe a stronger medication if your fracture is severe.

If the fracture is minor or located in one of the small toes, your doctor may simply implement buddy taping, which involves taping the damaged toe to its neighbor for support while it heals. In cases where the toe fracture becomes rotated or displaced, the doctor will need to perform a reduction. This involves administering a shot of local anesthesia before realigning the toe back into its proper position.

Casting may be required in more severe fractures: where the big toe is injured, the joint is damaged, the injury involves various small toe fractures at once, or if a bone in the foot is injured in addition to the fractured toe. When wearing a cast, a sturdy shoe should be worn to provide maximum comfort and support. If all goes well, the fracture should take up to six weeks to heal.

Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie

If you have suffered injury to your feet, toes, or ankles, don’t wait for complications to arise.Schedule a consultation with trusted podiatrists Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie at the Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center today.

Whether you’re trying to help out a friend or you’ve hurt your own foot, knowing how to properly deal with and take care of an injured foot can save you a lot of stress and problems later.

Here’s a quick how-to guide on how to properly take care of and bandage an injured foot or ankle.

How to Stop Any Bleeding

If there is any blood involved, it is important to first wash your hands and put on medical gloves (if available) before applying direct pressure to the wound. If gloves aren’t available, use many layers of clean cloth, plastic bags, or the cleanest fabric available between your hands and the wound.

In order to stop the bleeding, you should:

• Have the injured person lie down and elevate their foot for a full 15 minutes
• Remove any visible objects in the wound that are easy to remove
• Remove clothing and jewelry from the general area of the wound in case of swelling
• If blood soaks through the cloth, apply a clean one

How to Wrap an Injured Foot or Ankle

To prevent further injury and encourage proper healing, you should make sure that you protect and compress your foot, as well as rest, ice, and elevate your injury. There are a couple different types of material that you can use to wrap and compress an injured foot or ankle, including an elastic cloth bandage and athletic tape.

Wrapping with an Elastic Cloth Bandage

1. Begin wrapping—place the end of the bandage where the toes meet the foot. Begin by wrapping the bandage around the ball of the foot. Hold the end of the bandage against the ball of the foot with one hand, and use the other to bring the tail around the foot from the outside. Make sure to keep the bandage tight, but not so tight that it decreases blood flow to the foot and toes.
2. Work your way toward the ankle—wrap the ball of the foot twice, to hold the bandage in place, then begin moving up towards the ankle, being sure to leave at least one-half inch of bandage overlapping the previous layer. Make sure the layers are smooth and even with no unnecessary bulges or lumps. Start over if you need to do the job more neatly.
3. Wrap the ankle—when you get to the ankle, bring the end of the bandage up outside of the foot, over the instep and around the inside of the ankle. Then bring it around the heel, back up over the instep, under the foot and around the ankle. Continue making a figure eight around the ankle several times to fully stabilize the ankle.
4. Finish the wrap—the last wrap should rise several inches above the ankle to help stabilize it. Use the metal fasteners or medical tape to secure the remaining bandage. Excess bandage can also be tucked under the last layer, provided there’s not too much excess.

Wrapping with Athletic Tape

1. Decide if athletic tape is right for you—while athletic tape works to wrap an injured ankle, it is primarily made to wrap an uninjured joint before physical activities to avoid injury, not to protect an already injured ankle.
2. Begin with an underwrap—underwrap is a non-adhesive material used to wrap the foot and ankle before tape is applied, so that the tape doesn’t pull at the surface of the skin. Starting at the ball of the foot, wind the underwrap around the foot up to the ankle, leaving the heel uncovered.
3. Secure the anchor—cut the strip of tape long enough to wrap one and a half times around your ankle. Wind it around your ankle, over the underwrap, to hold the underwrap in place.
4. Create a stirrup—place the end of a piece of tape on one side of the anchor. Bring it down under the arch of the foot and back up to the other side of the anchor. Press it lightly to secure it in place. Repeat with two more pieces of tape overlapping the first one to create a sturdy stirrup.
5. Create an X over the foot—place the end of a piece of tape at the ankle bone and run it diagonally over the top of the foot. Bring it down under the arch and toward the inside of the heel. Then bring it around the back of the heel and back up over the foot to create the other part of the X.
6. Make a figure eight—place the end of a piece of tape on the outside of the ankle, just above the bone. Run it over the top of the foot at an angle, then bring it under the arch and up the other side of the foot. Next bring it around the ankle and back to the point where you started. Use another piece of tape to make a second figure eight that overlaps the first one. This will ensure that the wrap is held securely in place an provides enough support for the ankle to heal properly.

If a foot or ankle injury is serious and/or life-threatening, it’s important to call an ambulance. However, if the pain is manageable and you need help in dealing with the injury and getting back on your feet as soon as possible, be sure to get in contact with Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie today.

Itchy feet can become the bane of any day: you’re either driven mad trying to resist the urge to scratch; or by the redness, swelling, cracking, and flaking as a result of uncontrollable itching. While the cause could be something benign such as dry skin or excessive sweating, it could also indicate an infection or undiagnosed skin condition. Moreover, if left untreated, other complications could arise, such as a secondary infection.

The itching and burning will only continue to plague you until you accurately identify the source and treat it accordingly. Besides the obvious bug bites or allergic irritation, itchy feet are most commonly caused by a fungal infection or an underlying skin condition. In rare cases, itching could also suggest the presence of another medical condition, such as diabetes. Only examination from a trusted podiatrist can accurately diagnose your foot condition.

Here’s a look at the possible causes of itchy feet, treatment, and prevention tips to keep your feet feeling fresh.

Fungal Infection

When itchy feet are the main symptom, fungal infection is usually the primary suspect: specifically, tinea pedis, or athlete’s foot. Constant exposure to sweat and bacteria, in addition to walking barefoot on contaminated surfaces, make your feet the ideal breeding ground for fungal infection.

Athlete’s foot is an extremely contagious fungal infection which is easily spread through contact with infected surfaces, usually in damp spaces such as showers and gym locker rooms. In fact, it can even be spread through shared towels or linens. The first sign of infection is a dry, scaly rash that causes unbearable itching on the bottoms of the feet and between the toes. While the symptoms can be abated by certain over-the-counter creams, only a podiatrist can effectively cure you of the infection. Once cured, vigilant prevention should be practiced to avoid re-infection.

Skin Conditions

A number of skin conditions can lead to insatiable itching of the feet.

Eczema: Eczema can affect most parts of the body, but dyshidrotic eczema specifically affects the feet and hands. It is characterized by tiny itchy blisters formed on the soles of the feet, which then dry and cause cracking on the skin. If not properly cared for, the exposed skin can become vulnerable to infection. Since dyshidrotic eczema can share symptoms with other skin conditions, a skin sample will likely be taken for proper diagnosis.

Contact dermatitis: Contact dermatitis is a skin irritation that results from contact with an allergen or irritant, which appears similar to a rash. Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by skin exposure to an allergen, triggering an allergic reaction in the affected area. Irritant contact dermatitis is distinct in that it does not involve the immune system, but is instead the result of skin damage caused by exposure to an irritant that rids your skin of its protective surface oils. Common triggers of contact dermatitis include poison ivy, latex, nickel, chemical fragrances, topical medications, and leather.

Psoriasis: Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder which causes rapid skin cell turnover, resulting in incredibly itchy and scaly dry patches called plaques. The plaques are the result of layers of new skin cells rising so quickly that the dead skin piles atop the surface, rather than gradually sloughing off, form dry patches of thickened skin. Plaques are commonly found on the bottoms of the feet, as well as the elbows and knees.

Additional Sources of Itchy Feet

Here are a few potential, albeit less likely, perpetrators of itchy feet:

• Diabetes: Skin conditions can sometimes indicate diabetes. A condition called eruptive xanthomatosis produces small itchy bumps on the skin as a result of severe diabetes. The condition subsides once the diabetes is managed and under control.
• Scabies: Scabies is an infection of the human itch mite which burrows just below the skin to lay its eggs. The infestation causes intense itching which worsens at night, a pimply rash, and tiny blisters. You can also see traces of the burrows on the skin, which appear as thin whitish lines along the surface. Scabies is easily spread, and should receive medical attention to stem the infection right away.
• Pitted Keratolysis: Pitted keratolysis is a non-contagious bacterial infection, caused by wearing damp, restrictive footwear. It produces shallow pits beneath the toes and soles of the feet, accompanied by itching, burning, and an extremely foul odor.

Prevention Tips

The feet are constantly plagued by bacteria, and need to be cleaned just like your hands. To keep your feet comfortable and fresh, follow these basic hygiene tips:

• Avoid walking barefoot anywhere, especially on damp communal surfaces.
• Always wear dry, clean socks and shoes made of breathable materials.
• Wash your feet thoroughly, and do your best to keep them dry.
• If someone you know has an infection, do not share towels or linens, and protect your feet from contaminated surfaces.
• Keep your toenails trimmed and clean.

If you suspect an infection is already present, schedule an examination with a reputable podiatrist right away.

Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie

If itchy feet are wreaking havoc on your life, schedule a consultation with esteemed podiatrists Dr. Vikki and Dr. Connie at the Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center today.

There are some professions out there that cause a lot of stress to the arches, balls and heels of the feet, which can lead to other spinal and back discomfort issues, fatigue, and various mental health problems. Health care professionals, construction, hairdressing, office jobs, as well as landscaping jobs are all very different professions with this commonality—all are very stressful for the feet and can cause foot problems and pain.

Health Care Professionals

Hospitals are one of the busiest public places where employees work long hours. Nurses and doctors are always on the move during their long shifts, walking miles each day to serve and assist their patients. This can lead to numerous foot problems such as bunions, flat feet, ingrown nails, and heel spurs.

The foot has dozens of bones, joints, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, tendons, and layers of connective tissue. When working in the health care profession and working those long hours on your feet, the body tissues in your feet can become very stressed, achy, and swollen. If there is prolonged inflammation, this will actually form scar tissue and tire out the bones of the feet.

For those that work in the healthcare profession, be sure to wear comfortable, arch-supportive shoes with shock-absorbing soles, and get them fitted by a professional to make sure they are exactly right for your feet.

Construction Workers

Construction work is a heavy-duty, active profession that puts a lot of strain on the entire body, including the feet. Construction workers have to work in very challenging weather and circumstances and are on their feet for their entire day besides some small breaks. They are required to bend and lift and tend to end their shifts very exhausted and, sometimes, in pain.

The most common injury experienced by construction workers are ankle and foot injuries. Construction workers often develop flat feet or severely painful arch problems that can hinder their performance and their lifestyle outside of work.

Construction workers should invest in good footwear, such as steel-toe boots, that are a high quality brand able to prevent blisters, calluses, and protect the feet from anything heavy that could fall on them. Weeks before working in new boots, it’s key to break them in as much as possible.

If construction workers experience a foot injury, they should take days off to recover and see a medical professional like a podiatrist who can identify the problem and prevent further pain and injury.

A great tip is to freeze a bottle of water before heading out to work. When you get home, roll your feet over the frozen bottle. Not only will this exercise reduce inflammation and pain, but also the motion of the rolling will get the blood moving in your feet.

Hairdressing

Hairdressers often complain of foot pain at work, and this can result from repetitive straining motions; but also from a lack of supporting your feet and preventing foot problems well before pain and problems occur. If you are a hairdresser, try to remember to not lean on one dominant side when cutting hair.

Try to ground yourself and distribute your weight evenly on both of your feet. This will prevent pinched nerves and developing uneven arches.

Another way to prevent foot problems is to exercise and have a balanced diet. The more weight you carry, the more strain that’s placed on your feet, legs, and back. It’s simple—the more you weigh, the harder it is for you to be standing on your feet day all day.

Invest in a rubber mat for your chair and work space area. This will prevent developing foot problems and will keep your back healthy, too. Wear good shoes with less than a 1.5-inch heel to avoid severe heel pain. Absorbent pads and laces on the body of the shoe can help provide optimal support. Consider orthotics if you’re already experiencing foot pain as this will alleviate and correct current problems.

Preventing Foot Problems

Healthy feet are the key to a healthy life. Talk to a podiatrist professional such as the great team at the Superior Foot and Ankle Care Center and learn more about what you can do to keep your feet healthy.