If you are experiencing numbness in toes, you ought to know that this can just be temporary or it can be an indication of a serious problem. This sensation happens when there is lack of blood supply to your toes or damage to the nerves. Numbness of toes can only be temporary if the cause were due to tight fittings worn on the feet such as ill-fitting shoes or very tight socks. In some cases, numbness in toes can be a sign of life threatening diseases.
Mild And Life Threatening Symptoms
Numbness is usually describe as a tingling sensation which can disappear quickly, such as numbness after sitting for a long while which fades away once the legs start to move. Numbness due to a broken toe can cause severe pain and swelling. Numbness in toes caused by compressed nerves in the lumbar spine is accompanied by pain to the lower back and legs extending to the toes. Other symptoms include a burning feeling, anxiety, prickling sensation, frequent urination, pain while walking, lower back pain, itchiness, muscle spasms, and pain on the toes. When there is difficulty in breathing, difficulty in walking, dizziness, loss of bowel control, impaired vision, paralysis, weakness and brief loss of consciousness during the occurrence of numbness in toes, this can be a sign of an underlying, life threatening condition.
Causes of Toe Numbness
Numbness in toes occurs for a variety of reasons, such as diseases or disorders that restrain the flow of blood or cause nerve injuries. Some causes are only temporary and once the foot or leg is moved, numbness will immediately be resolved. Numbness in toes can arise from slight to serious orthopedic, circulatory and neurological conditions Circulatory conditions are caused by insufficient blood flow to a particular area such as Raynaud’s Disease, Buerger’s disease, peripheral artery disease, deep vein thrombosis and Arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Orthopedic conditions are injuries or damage to the nerves such as broken toe, back injury degenerative disk disease, nerve pressure, Herniated disk, Tarsal tunnel syndrome and Osteoporosis,. Neurological conditions are caused by compression or damage of nerves such as diabetic neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, Hypothyroidism, neuroma in the toe, lead poisoning, Peripheral neuropathy, stroke, spinal cord injury, tumor, transverse myelitis and alcoholism.
Numbness in toes due to neuroma may only affect the 3rd and 4th toes unlike diabetes which generally affects all five toes.
Treatment for Numbness in Toes
If numbness in toes is continuous and is associated with symptoms such as weakness, difficulty in breathing and pain, this can be life threatening and needs careful evaluation by a doctor. It is very important to consult a health care professional when you experience any kind of numbness or other unfamiliar symptoms that continue to persist. Treatment depends on the primary cause and what is verified in relieving the symptoms. Occupational and physical therapy which include stretching exercises can help relieve symptoms which once the underlying cause is traced and cured. It is necessary to follow the treatment procedures made by your doctor once the primary cause is determined to reduce the danger of potential complications associated with toe numbness. Failure to follow treatment procedures for numbness in toes can result to complications as well as permanent damage which can lead to disability, amputation, paralysis inability to walk, permanent pain and permanent loss of sensation.
