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

very sore toe ends, red and painful

by carole
(Kent)

All small toes on both feet (not big toe), but particularly the right foot, are extremely sore and a bit red, and this makes walking very difficult unless I wear open walking sandals (and they don't look good with my posh frocks). My feet are usually cold but my toes feel hot, particularly in the evening. I have had this problem before. I can't remember how long it lasted. The current problem started last week when I walked round London in ordinary flat lace up shoes (about 4 miles on pavements) and my toes became uncomfortable. The following day I walked in the country, about 7 miles, wearing proper walking boots. That made my feet worse, but in appearance there is nothing to show that they are painful apart from a bit of redness. I am used to walking about 8 miles a couple of times a week, so it's nothing unusual. I always wear orthotics because I have flat feet and a bunion and with rounded (hammer?) toes. This means I often have uncomfortable toes, but not as bad as I'm experiencing now. During the summer, I wore open walking sandals because the freedom for my toes is so much more comfortable, and this was the first time I had gone back to wearing closed-in boots. I wonder if this is the reason, perhaps my feet have spread during the summer and they now rub the inside of the boots. Or could it be connected with poor circulation or gout? Any advice would be most welcome.

Hi Carole,
Obviously, I do not have the luxury of examining you, nor do I know your age or medical history, but any time toes are discolored with no history of trauma, vascular compromise must be ruled out.
Instead of trying to guess what is going on with your feet, why not see a local doctor and at the very least have your circulation checked.
BTW, based on your story, I do not think you are having a gout attack.
Marc Mitnick DPM

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Oct 25, 2016
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sore toe read and painful
by: Diane

Hello cArole i have the same problem with my end left toe.. red and painful. I cant walk properly. Did you go to the doctor? What did you do to treat the sore toe? I tried warm water with salt, cold compress, betadine but didnt work. I cant even sleep. The pain is really excruciating.

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Mayo Clinic

Johns Hopkins Medicine

MedlinePlus

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

University of Maryland Medical Center

MY PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS(items I prescribe in the office)

Orthotics for multiple types of foot pain best buy in a pre-made orthotic click link below

Orthotics for heel and arch pain for those who must wear dress shoes click link below

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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Tennessee

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Redondo Beach, CA

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LH

(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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(location unknown)

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Madison, Alabama

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Denison, TX

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Tampa, Florida 33624

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South Africa

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Mansfield Ctr, CT

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Placentia, California

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Unknown

Unknown location

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Unknown location

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Pacific Grove, CA

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Alameda, California

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Anonymous

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New Zealand

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Sincerely

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Arizona

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Florida

1st of all THANKS A LOT for your great site......

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Poland

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South Carolina

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unknown location

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Arlington, VA

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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

Thanks so much for answering my question. You've been more help to me than my own Dr. has been lately. Thanks again....I hope to be able to walk without pain someday.

Debbie

location unknown

Wow, that is exactly the information needed!!! thank you thank you thank you!!! I appreciate this help so very much from Marc Mitnick DPM. Excellent information and help to improve One's life.

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!

Tracy

Evansville, IA

Dear Marc

I just want to say thank you for the quick response and the good info. I find it amazing and a super nice thing that you do here by answering medical questions at no charge.

Russ W.

location unknown

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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

thanks again, this site is very helpful.

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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annielou

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.

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Canada

I just wanted to say that I am very greatful for this website!! I have had a fusion in my rt foot and am finally getting a little bit better......

Bonnie

location unknown

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Nancie

Wisconsin

Thank you for your response. You have provided some great insight (to my question)....

Julie

location unknown

Thank-you so very much for responding so quickly and in such detail to my question!! I will give my surgeon a call today!! This website is terrific!!!! Thank-you again!

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!!

Melody

Lenoir, NC

Thank you so much Doc for a quick and thorough response!

Rustam

Bellevue, WA

I cannot thank you enough for your response, opinion, and suggestions! I want you to know how much it means to me, and I'm sure everyone else who has ever asked you a question! I feel like you're a lifesaver and have empowered me to take a stronger role and stand up for myself and my feet!

Jodi

location unknown

very sore toe ends, red and painful

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