How long does it take for a stubbed toe to stop hurting?
Normally the pain from a stubbed toe subsides in a day or two. If the pain continues or if the toe looks deformed, come in to our office. After a careful examination, including comparing the toes to the healthy foot and x-rays right in our office, we will recommend treatment for the stubbed toe.
How do you relieve stubbed toe pain?

Home treatments for a stubbed toe
- Rest. Stop using your toe, lie down, and let your body recover.
- Ice. Use ice to numb the pain and reduce swelling.
- Compression. Wrap your toe, or the entire end of your foot and toes, with an elastic bandage to provide support and keep swelling under control.
- Elevation.
Why does a stubbed toe hurt so much?
When you stub your toe, you’re slamming it with a force equal to 2-3 times your body weight. That’s about the same force as a karate punch! And since your toe has a tiny surface area, that force can’t spread out. So the pain stays concentrated at the point of impact.
Why do stubbed toes hurt so much?
Stubbed toes can hurt a lot, even when the injury is not serious. This is because there are many nerves in the toe, including two nerves on either side. There is little fat to cushion the toes, which can intensify the pain and increase the risk of injuries such as bone bruises and fractures.

How do you tell if you broke your toe by stubbing it?
Broken or fractured toe
- swelling around the toe and sometimes into the foot.
- discoloration, such as black or blue bruising, around the toe.
- a change in the shape of the toe, if a bone is out of place.
- trouble moving the toe.
- significant pain when walking or putting weight on the toe.
- pain that gets worse over several hours.
Can you sprain your toe by stubbing?
Stubbing a toe can even cause breaks, sprains, broken nails, and infections. The pain of a stubbed toe usually subsides after a few minutes. In some cases, however, the impact could break the toe or the toenail, causing intense pain that may get worse over hours or days.
What does a sprained toe feel like?
pain, often in the entire toe or even the area around it. tenderness. swelling. bruising.
Can a stubbed toe hurt for weeks?
If the injury is serious enough to bleed, it may be painful to walk for several weeks. Sometimes the toenail falls off, either right after stubbing the toe or weeks later. People may notice the following injuries after stubbing their toe: a cracked or broken nail.
How painful is stubbing your toe?
How do you know if you have a jammed toe?
The main symptoms are:
- pain, often in the entire toe or even the area around it.
- tenderness.
- swelling.
- bruising.
- trouble moving your toe.
- joint instability.
How do I know if my stubbed toe is serious?
See a doctor if:
- the toe is very swollen.
- the pain is severe and does not go away after several hours.
- it is difficult to walk or to put weight on the foot.
- the toenail falls off or the area around it is very swollen.
- there are signs of infection around the toenail, such as itching, redness, and pus.
How do I know if my toe pain is serious?
How do I know if I have broken my toe?
your toe is pointing out at an odd angle. the bone is sticking out of your toe. there was a snap, grinding or popping noise at the time of injury. you feel tingling in your toe or foot or it feels numb.
When should you go to the doctor for a stubbed toe?
In other cases, what seems like a simple stubbed toe can become an intensely painful and increasingly worsening injury. If your toe pain gets worse over the course of several hours and your toe is swollen, bruised, deformed, or numb, you may have a broken toe bone and should seek medical care immediately.
Why is toe pain so painful?
What does a toe sprain look like?
A sprained toe shouldn’t look dislocated. It will still swell, but will likely have less bruising. A sprained toe may be painful for several days, but should then begin to improve. One other key difference between a break and a sprain is the location of the pain.
Can stubbing your toe cause nerve damage?
Answer. It sounds like you hit your toe really hard. Depending on how hard you hit it, there is a possibility that you damaged one of your nerves that services the toe. This can happen, though permanent damage is really unusual.
How long does it take for a bruised toe to heal?
Most bruised toes can heal on their own with proper care at home, especially if there is no fracture involved. It usually takes weeks for complete healing; however, pain and swelling can resolve within a few days [4,5].