What does it mean when your toe gets red and swollen?

Infections. Skin and nail infections can cause redness, swelling, and pain in the toes. Bacteria or fungi are usually responsible for these infections. Nail infections, or paronychia, can cause a swollen bump to form around the nail, and this bump may leak pus.

How do you treat an inflamed toe?

Try rest, ice, compression, and elevation (the RICE method). Avoid putting weight on the injury and apply an ice pack for 10–20 minutes at a time. Wrap or bandage the area to reduce swelling and elevate the foot above the heart when lying or sitting. Soak an injured toenail in warm water or Epsom salts.

What does an infected toe look like?

Redness. Soreness or pain. A pus-filled blister, or pus that drains from your toe. Cracked, thickened, yellow toenails (from a fungal infection)

What do you do if your toe is swollen and infected?

Call your doctor or a podiatrist if: You are noticing redness, swelling, and/or drainage coming from your toe. You think you may have a fungal infection and over-the-counter creams haven’t worked. You have an infected or ingrown toenail and you’re diabetic.

What does Covid toes look like?

COVID toes: One or more toes may swell and turn pink, red, or a purplish color. Others may see a small amount of pus under their skin. Sometimes, people who have COVID toes have other symptoms of COVID-19.

How long do Covid toes last?

Experts aren’t sure yet how long most people have this condition. At least one expert thinks it may last about 10 to 14 days. Another says 2 to 6 weeks. Some people reportedly have COVID toes for months.

Will infected toe heal itself?

Will an Infected Toe Heal Itself? An infection can sometimes go away on its own, but it may need treatment. If you have diabetes, and redness and swelling don’t go away or have painful joints or muscles, you should see your doctor.

Will a toe infection go away by itself?

What do red toes mean?

Wondering why your toes are red? You may have an underlying skin condition like a fungal infection, cellulitis, or an allergic reaction. Other causes of a red, inflamed toes include trauma from an injury to the foot or arthritis.