Skip to main content
Go back

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
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.

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

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: 6 March 2026
Next review due: 6 March 2029