A stubbed toe is one of those injuries that just can’t be avoided. Every once in a while, we all misjudge the distance between our foot and the door, fail to lift our foot high enough when stepping up onto a curb, or stumble across something someone left lying on the floor.
A stubbed toe hurts, especially in the moments right after it happens. But it usually isn’t a serious injury. In fact, you can treat a stubbed toe with a few home remedies.
Make Sure Your Stubbed Toe Isn’t Broken
First, you want to make sure your stubbed to isn’t actually broken. While you can treat a stubbed toe at home, a broken toe requires a doctor’s treatment.
If you find that you can’t stand with your weight on your injured foot for more than a minute or two, this could mean your toe is broken. An abnormal amount of swelling or pain, more than you’d expect from just a stubbed toe, could also be a sign that there is a break.
And, if you develop a fever, you should definitely see a doctor. Fractures often cause you’re body’s natural defenses to kick in. So, even if you don’t think your toe is broken, a fever could mean it is.
Apply Ice to Your Stubbed Toe
Applying ice to your stubbed toe could help reduce the pain and swelling. Wrap some ice in a towel, and apply it to the injured toe for about fifteen to thirty minutes.
Check Your Stubbed Toe for Broken Skin
Sometimes, when you stub your toe, you might break the skin. For example, your toe could be scraped. Or there could even be a flap of skin hanging from the injured area.
After the wound is clean, carefully dry the area. Apply an antibacterial cream to prevent infection. Then cover the area with a bandage.
Do not pull off any flaps of skin hanging from the injured area. As the wound heals, they will take care of themselves.
Stubbed Toes and Shoes
If you’re experiencing any mild swelling in your stubbed toe, or you have an open would in the area, wearing certain kinds of shoes could be extremely painful.
If possible, try wearing sandals, flip flops, or any other kind of shoe with open toes.
And women shouldn’t wear high heels. High heeled shoes put most of your weight forward right onto your toes, which will cause all kinds of pain to a stubbed toe. So, until your stubbed toe heels, wear more comfortable shoes.
In many cases, a stubbed toe could heal all on its own. But these home remedies will help speed up the process, and put an end to the pain, much faster.
