Swelling & severe pain in toe

[Bec-Ray9]

Hi, Does anyone else suffer with swelling and excruciating pain in their toe(s) during a elongated flare up?

I currently have severe swelling, redness and pain in my second toe - to the point where socks are hurting it - and lets be honest, no socks is not a possible answer in this weather... Walking is painful and painkillers aren't effective.

Not sure whether to call the doctors as last time (during lockdown) i was prescribed antibiotics for an infection - obviously a telephone appointment and these didn't help either.

Just wondering if anyone else suffers with this?

Hope you're all doing ok these January!

[homeat42]

Going through the same at the moment, but it's affecting my whole foot as well. I get it a couple of times a year. Usually lasts about 5 days. I alternate Ibuprofen and Paracetamol every 2 hours as they work in different systems. So the usual 4 hour dosage for each. Antibiotics did not help me. For you: if it's inflammation then painkillers and if it's Gout then there are specific drugs.

[Bec-Ray9 in reply to homeat42]

Yes the medication isn't having much effect if I'm honest but had the same thought as you for cycling the differing types to helps with swelling and pain.

Thanks for the reply and support, nice to know you're not alone in the times of flare ups 😀

[Eden1234]

Hi, sorry to hear you have this. I get the same and it can go from nothing to full on severe pain, redness and swelling over night (same toe as you). It can feel like an ingrown toenail but isn’t. Mine can last from 1 - 3 weeks and then disappear as quick as it came. Very strange ! No medication I have taken helps, just have to wait until it passes again.

[Bec-Ray9 in reply to Eden1234]

That is exactly how it feels, and with this cold snap it just amplifies the pain ten-fold.

Glad to know it's not just me, in a weird way 🙂

[Midgebite21]

Have you had an assessment by a HCPC registered Podiatrist. They will give you a full bio mechanical assessment, manipulating your joints and their range of motion, we can feel and palpate for arthritic changes as well as looking for skin and circulation disorders /signs of infection.