Why does my foot hurt by my toes?
Isabella Ramos
Updated on August 09, 2026
Excess pressure on your forefoot can cause pain and inflammation in your metatarsals — the long bones in the front of your feet, just below your toes. Metatarsalgia (met-uh-tahr-SAL-juh) is a condition in which the ball of your foot becomes painful and inflamed.Excess pressure on your forefoot can cause pain and inflammation in your metatarsals — the long bones in the front of your feet, just below your toes. Metatarsalgia (met-uh-tahr-SAL-juh) is a condition in which the ball of your foot becomes painful and inflamed.
How do you treat metatarsalgia?
Lifestyle and home remedies
- Rest. Protect your foot from further injury by not stressing it. ...
- Ice the affected area. Apply ice packs to the affected area for about 20 minutes at a time several times a day. ...
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. ...
- Wear proper shoes. ...
- Use metatarsal pads. ...
- Consider arch supports.
How long does it take for metatarsalgia to go away?
Ball of the foot pain or Metatarsalgia generally takes 6-8 weeks to improve and early activity on the healing bone and joint can result in a setback in recovery.
How do I know if my foot pain is serious?
Seek immediate medical attention if you:
- Have severe pain or swelling.
- Have an open wound or a wound that is oozing pus.
- Have signs of infection, such as redness, warmth and tenderness in the affected area or you have a fever over 100 F (37.8 C)
- Are unable to walk or put weight on your foot.
What does it mean when you have pains in your toes?
The most common causes of toe pain include ingrown toenails, bunions, cuts or scrapes, other injuries, blisters, and corns and calluses. Arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and other types of arthritis) and infections are additional causes of toe pain.
34 related questions foundWhen should I worry about toe pain?
Here are some signs that the toe pain might be serious. You should seek medical help right away if: Signs of infection occur (such as spreading redness, red streak, warmth) Joint swelling with fever.
How do you get rid of nerve pain in your foot?
Walk it off. Exercise releases natural painkillers called endorphins. Exercise also promotes blood flow to the nerves in the legs and feet. Researchers believe that regular exercise may create a long-lasting expansion in blood vessels in the feet, nourishing damaged nerves back to health.
Can drinking water help foot pain?
Gout-Related Foot Pain From Dehydration
Since gout comes from a build-up of acid, drinking a lot of water is one of the ways to clear out the acid and reduce the severe foot pain that this condition can cause.
What does foot tendonitis feel like?
Pain along the length of the tendon or where the tendon attaches to the bone. Pain that gets worse with physical activity. Stiffness in the tendon after periods of inactivity, such as first thing in the morning. Swelling, redness or warmth around the tendon.
Can foot pain be caused by stress?
When you are anxious, your body releases stress hormones that make your blood pump through your veins faster, your heart rate increases and your muscles tense. Over time, chronic stress and anxiety can also increase your sensitivity to pain. Consequently, when your feet hurt, anxiety may intensify the pain.
How do I know if I have metatarsalgia?
Symptoms of metatarsalgia can include: Sharp, aching or burning pain in the ball of your foot — the part of the sole just behind your toes. Pain that worsens when you stand, run, flex your feet or walk — especially barefoot on a hard surface — and improves when you rest.
Can you walk with metatarsalgia?
Untreated metatarsalgia can lead to hammertoes, can cause you to limp and cause pain in other parts of the body, including the lower back and hip when you compensate and begin to walk abnormally.
Does foot massage help metatarsalgia?
Massage techniques can help with metatarsalgia ( ball of foot pain) and aid in Morton's Neuroma. These techniques are becoming very popular among sports therapists, and massage therapists, reflexologists, and physical therapists.
What are the best shoes to wear for metatarsalgia?
3 best walking shoes for metatarsal pain
- New Balance Men's MW928 Walking Shoe. ...
- Vionic Women's Agile Kea Slip-On. ...
- Skechers Women's Shape Ups 2.0 Comfort Stride.
Does metatarsalgia ever go away?
What's the outlook? Most metatarsalgia eases with conservative measures and properly fitting footwear. Early diagnosis and treatment usually gives you a good prognosis. In some cases, you may need surgery to treat the underlying cause of the pain.
Does Epsom salt help metatarsalgia?
Low level, cold laser or ultrasound therapy to the metatarsal head area can decrease inflammation or irritation and significantly calm down the area. Soaking your feet in hot, Epsom salt bath. This simple home remedy can take some of the soreness out of the foot.
Is it OK to walk with tendonitis?
Even fast walking would likely be ok - but if too painful, try using an insert in the heel (available at most drug stores).
What is the fastest way to heal tendonitis in the foot?
This treatment can help speed your recovery and help prevent further problems.
- Rest. Avoid activities that increase the pain or swelling. ...
- Ice. To decrease pain, muscle spasm and swelling, apply ice to the injured area for up to 20 minutes several times a day. ...
- Compression. ...
- Elevation.
Does foot tendonitis ever go away?
Most damage heals in about two to four weeks, but chronic tendinitis can take more than six weeks, often because the sufferer doesn't give the tendon time to heal. In chronic cases, there may be restriction of motion of the joint due to scarring or narrowing of the sheath of tissue that surrounds the tendon.
What can cause achy feet?
If your feet are aching, take a look at these possible causes first.
- Blisters and Calluses. Calluses are thickened areas of the skin when lots of pressure forms. ...
- Ingrown Toenails. ...
- Improper Footwear. ...
- Acute Injury. ...
- Overuse of the Foot. ...
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. ...
- Plantar Fasciitis. ...
- Morton's Neuroma.
Can dehydration cause pain in toes?
How Can Dehydration Cause Foot Pain? A good example of foot pain caused by dehydration is gout. This is a form of arthritis that can cause extreme pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints of your foot, especially in your big toe.
How can I rehydrate fast?
If you're worried about your or someone else's hydration status, here are the 5 best ways to rehydrate quickly.
- Water. ...
- Coffee and tea. ...
- Skim and low fat milk. ...
- 4. Fruits and vegetables. ...
- Oral hydration solutions.
How do I know if I have nerve damage in my foot?
Sharp, jabbing, throbbing or burning pain. Extreme sensitivity to touch. Pain during activities that shouldn't cause pain, such as pain in your feet when putting weight on them or when they're under a blanket. Lack of coordination and falling.
Will nerve pain in foot go away?
Sometimes, the symptoms of a pinched nerve in your foot may go away with home remedies and self-care. However, if your symptoms don't get better, see your doctor to get a diagnosis and to discuss treatment options.
What are the symptoms of a pinched nerve in your foot?
Pinched nerve signs and symptoms include:
- Numbness or decreased sensation in the area supplied by the nerve.
- Sharp, aching or burning pain, which may radiate outward.
- Tingling, pins and needles sensations (paresthesia)
- Muscle weakness in the affected area.
- Frequent feeling that a foot or hand has "fallen asleep"