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Broken toe

A broken toe can be painful, but you do not usually need to go to hospital. There are things you can do to treat it at home.

Symptoms of a broken toe

You may have broken your toe if it's:

  • bruised or red – this may be harder to see on brown and black skin
  • painful and swollen
  • difficult to walk on
Information:

Do not worry if you're not sure if it's broken or just bruised, treatment is usually the same for both.

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

  • you have a bad cut or wound after injuring your toe
  • you have severe toe pain

You may need further treatment in hospital, such as a boot, cast or surgery.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Immediate action required: Go to A&E if:

  • you think you have broken your big toe
  • your toe is pointing out at an odd angle
  • the bone is sticking out of your toe
  • you feel tingling in your toe or foot, or it feels numb
  • your child has hurt or broken their toe
Find your nearest A&E
Information:

Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring any medicines you take with you.

What you can do about a broken toe

Doctors will usually suggest you treat a broken toe at home first if:

  • it's not your big toe
  • the bone is not sticking out of your foot
  • your toe is not pointing at an odd angle
  • there's no wound on your toe

Broken toes usually heal within 4 to 6 weeks, but it can sometimes take several months.

There are some things you can do yourself to help with a broken toe.

Do

  • take ibuprofen or paracetamol for the pain and swelling

  • rest your foot and keep it raised while it's swollen

  • hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on your toe for up to 20 minutes every few hours for the first few days after you injured your toe

  • wear wide, comfortable flat shoes with stiff soles

  • strap up your broken toe for 2 to 3 weeks – put a small piece of cotton wool or gauze between your sore toe and the toe next to it, then tape them together to support the sore toe

Don't

  • do not strap up your toe if it's pointing out at an odd angle or you have hurt your big toe – get medical advice

  • do not put ice directly on your skin

  • do not walk or stand for long periods for the few first days after you injured your toe – it may help to walk with a support or crutches for a few weeks

  • do not wear tight, pointy shoes

  • do not play any sports like football, rugby or hockey for 6 weeks or until the pain eases

  • do not try to treat your child's toe – take them to an urgent treatment centre or A&E

A pharmacist can help with a broken toe

You can ask a pharmacist about:

  • the best painkiller to take
  • what you need to strap up your toe
  • if you need to see a GP
Find a pharmacy

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

  • pain and swelling has not started to ease 5 days after you injured your toe
  • it still hurts to walk 6 weeks after injuring your toe
  • you have diabetes and have injured your toe – foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes

They may send you for an X-ray to see if you need any further treatment.

Page last reviewed: 06 March 2026
Next review due: 06 March 2029