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The response to the question below was authored by Marc Mitnick DPM

Swollen red toes

by Adriana Hubble
(Portland, Oregon)

Two weeks ago my 2nd, 4th and especially my pinky toe of my right foot became red and swollen. There is also a small dark discoloration on the nail bed of the pinky toe near the cuticle. The toes occasionally feels itchy & burning with little pain but not always. They also sometimes turn a bluish color. My feet tend to be cold and a few months ago I suffered a sciatic flare up on my right side which left some numbness in the lower half of my leg and foot. The swelling is worse in the morning or if exposed to high heat & moisture. I have been getting acupuncture with no change. I am a generally healthy 36 year woman. I don't smoke am a vegetarian and practice yoga almost daily. I really hope you can at least help me identify this condition. Thank you, I look forward to your response.


Hi Adriana,
Go to my section on "cold feet" and scroll down to the part about superficial frostbite. That is the first thing that comes to mind based on your description.
The reason the toes hurt more in heat is because the exposure to heat dilates (opens up) the arteries that bring blood into the toes and that along with the clamping down of the veins in the toes, forces the blood to pool in the area, so they swell and hurt.
You should probably see a local podiatrist to confirm this diagnosis.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Comments for Swollen red toes

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Nov 23, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		dolor y ardor en el dedo gordo del pie
by: Anonymous

el dedo gordo del pie se pone rojo y lo siento aliente con picazon,en horas de la noche tambien la una esta un poco despejada la he ido cortando pero no veo el resultado.la doctora tomo una muestra de una y la mando al laboratorio.pensando en un posible hongo lo cual no era y aun no se sabe cual es la razon.
Jun 04, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		RSD in both feet
by: Brandi Lundegard

Adriana... I just came across your post and wanted to know if you've received a diagnosis yet? I was diagnosed with RSD in my feet a few months ago. I've noticed that when I excercise, or get over heated due to warm weather, that my toes turn bright red and swell up enormously! I also have burning pain in both feet. I am an otherwise healthy 34 year old woman from Lebanon, OR. :) Would love to hear what you've tried so far, and how you're doing.
Aug 28, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Try not to put you feet through great temperature changes
by: Anonymous

Chilblains

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Arthritis Foundation

University of Rochester Medical Center

Harvard Health

Drugs.com

American Academy of Pediatrics

Penn State Medical Center

National Institutes of Health

Columbia University Department of Rehabilitation

ScienceDirect

Stanford Health Care

Illinois Bone and Joint Institute

Mount Sinai Hospital

Institute for Chronic Pain

University of Florida Health

American Family Physician

Cedars-Sinai

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If you happen to live in the New York - New Jersey area and would like to visit our office

Dr. Marc Mitnick

151 Summit Ave.
Summit, NJ 07901
908-522-0761


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DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this site is purely informational in nature. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any medical condition. This information is not a substitute for advice from a medical professional. Please consult your healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis and treatment. The information presented here may be subject to errors and omissions.


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(location unknown)
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(location unknown)
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UK

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Unknown location

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Unknown location

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Anonymous



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New Zealand

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Arizona
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Thanks, Kathy

Florida
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Poland
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South Carolina
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unknown location


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San Clemente, CA


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Pam

location unknown


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location unknown


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Bre

location unknown


Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so much for your reply. I did let my physician know and they took an x-ray - all is well! Also, thank you for providing this wonderful site, it is very helpful with lots of useful information! I appreciate your gift of time! God bless.

anonymous



Dr. Mitnick, Thank you, you were 100% correct. The pain finally brought me to the ER. I spent 8 days in the hospital. The Doppler you spoke of was able to show that there was no pulse in that foot. This was an arterial clot that split and traveled throughout my leg. My leg was almost amputated. I am in rough shape but have all my parts intact!! You certainly know what you are talking about. Thank you for taking the time to answer. Yours Truly!

anonymous



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Poland



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Seattle, WA


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Bonnie

location unknown



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Bill

New Jersey



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Debbie

location unknown



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Chrissy

location unknown



Thanks so much for this website Dr. Marc! It is so nice that you have this ask the doctor feature..I'm sure I'ts been helpful for alot of people. I will try what you suggested and see if it helps...thanks again!

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Evansville, IA



Dear Marc

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Russ W.

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-Sunny.

location unknown



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Jackie

San Diego, CA



Dr. Mitnick, Just want to say thank you so very much for your quick response and very informative reply! After reading what you had to say, I called the doctor's office and was able to get in and see him the same day as my injury. Toe was x-rayed and luckily, it is not broken or fractured. Very badly bruised and will probably lose the toe nail. And although my toe and toe nail are still very black and blue and very sore, they ARE both starting to feel a little better. So again, thank you! I am so very happy that I came across your website. The service you provide is outstanding and immeasurable!

Rivi,

Albany, NY



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Jill S.

location unknown



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Jackie

Whichita, KS



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mark

Boston, MA



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....Keep up what your doing. Your a life saver.

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Colorado



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Colorado

Wonderful advice

by: Anonymous

This is the best site for foot problem info.

Thank you for this information. This description fits my pain and inflammation behind my 2nd toe perfectly.

by: Max

location unknown
Again, I really appreciate that you responded to my inquiry, and that your mention of Parkinson's helped me to find my way to a diagnosis of this difficult to diagnose disease. Most patients see on average 16 doctors before they are diagnosed. I hope that you can help other people that ask for your expertise in the future.

Barb D.

Canada
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location unknown
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Wisconsin
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Julie

location unknown
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Renae

North Carolina
Many Thanks Dr Marc!
Thank you for your response. It sounds like a good plan to me. He did not cut the wart out first ...

KG

location unknown

Thanks again doc for having this website and we STILL need qualified Podiatrists in beautiful sunny Tampa Bay (Bradenton) Florida.

Bessie Mae

Florida
Dear Dr. Mitnick, Thank you so very much for taking your time to answer my question. You have greatly relieved my anxiety related to the continual tingly I feel in my feet. I will share your response with my podiatrist next week. God bless you for having this question and answer page on your website! Most gratefully,

Lynne T.

location unknown
Your webpage is excellent, I commend you on sharing your knowledge to the public.

Robert

New Jersey


Thank you. you were more detailed than what others have told me they finally called from the last xrays and my son is now in a cast for 2 weeks he did have a fracture that was not noticeable.

a mom

location unknown


I have read your website and I have to admit that I am amazed at all the information that is on here. I have learned more than the three years I have been going to several doctors that I have seen!!

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Lenoir, NC


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Rustam

Bellevue, WA


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Jodi

location unknown

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