Numbness refers to the loss of feeling or sensation in a part of your body. Numbness can be temporary or permanent, or it may come and go (recurrent).
You may experience numbness on its own. Or you may also experience the following symptoms:
- tingling or pins and needles
- burning or heat
- muscular weakness
It’s natural to experience numbness once in a while, particularly in the legs and arms. It usually lasts a few seconds to minutes. However, in some cases, you may have recurrent numbness in one or more areas of the body. This may point to an underlying health condition.
This article discusses the most common causes of numbness in the toes and how you may manage each.
Possible causes of numbness in your toes
Numbness in your toes is often related to reduced blood flow or irritated nerves in the area or higher up in the body.
It may be that your body is too cold, making it difficult to pump blood to your toes. Or it could be that you stayed in the same position for too long, causing a temporary loss of sensation in the nerves.
If you’re experiencing sudden or recurrent numbness in your toes, you may wonder if something else is happening. Here are a few possible reasons.
Diabetes
Diabetes may cause a type of nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy that usually affects the hands and feet. It could also affect circulatory, digestive, and urinary functions.
Up to half of all people with diabetes eventually develop neuropathy in their limbs, a complication of high blood sugar levels.
Peripheral neuropathy typically starts in both of your feet at once and can cause increasing numbness and tingling in your hands and feet.
Other symptoms
Peripheral neuropathy usually has symptoms, such as:
- increased sensitivity or pain in your feet, especially during the night
- weakness in your feet that makes walking difficult
- skin infections
- skin ulcers
- bone and joint pain
- circulatory complications
- digestive and urinary challenges
Management strategies
If you live with diabetes, experts recommend checking your feet daily. This means looking for changes in sensitivity and skin texture and coloring.
You may prevent or delay nerve damage related to diabetes by:
- getting your hands and feet checked regularly by your doctor
- managing your blood sugar level effectively as per your health team’s instructions
- keeping your blood pressure below 140/90 mm Hg
- maintaining the recommended weight range for your age and height
- getting regular physical activity
- avoiding or reducing alcohol consumption (if any)
- avoiding tobacco use (if any)
- eating nutrient-dense foods
- taking medications as prescribed by a doctor
When to seek medical help
Nerve damage caused by diabetes tends to occur slowly over time. You may experience occasional symptoms that may be an early sign.
It’s important to talk with your healthcare professional if you notice:
- recurrent burning, tingling, weakness, numbness, or pain in your hands and feet
- a sore or cut on your feet that won’t heal
- occasional fainting or dizziness
- changes in urination, digestion, or sexual function
- any other symptoms that interfere with daily activities or sleep
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Raynaud’s phenomenon
Raynaud’s phenomenon or disease is a condition that affects your blood circulation. It causes blood vessels in the fingers and toes to narrow. When the blood vessels narrow, blood flow is restricted and may lead to numbness and tingling.
Symptoms are mainly experienced in the fingers, but some people may also have numbness in the toes, nose, and ears.
Other symptoms
Other symptoms of Raynaud’s phenomenon may include:
- increased pain and numbness when exposed to cold temperatures
- changes in the color of your fingertips or toes when cold or stressed
- pain in the affected areas
- redness and swelling in the fingers and toes when warm
- pins and needles sensation that repeats
- trouble moving the area affected
- sores, in rare cases
In severe cases, lack of blood supply may lead to the death of body tissue (gangrene). However, this occurrence is rare.
Management strategies
Raynaud’s phenomenon is a manageable condition, and behavior and habit changes may help. These include:
- keeping your hands, feet, and entire body warm
- limiting or avoiding tobacco use (if any)
- avoiding trauma or injury to the hands and feet
- discussing medication side effects with your health team
- managing stress
- managing blood pressure
When to seek medical help
If you’ve received a Raynaud’s phenomenon diagnosis, consider an additional visit to a healthcare professional if you:
- have symptoms that interfere with your day-to-day life
- have symptoms on only one side of your body
- have skin rashes, muscle weakness, or joint pain
- notice changes in your skin coloring, texture, or sensitivity in other areas of your body
Morton’s neuroma
Morton’s neuroma causes the thickening of tissues around the digital nerve in your feet. This may cause numbness in your toes and other parts of your feet.
Digital nerves in the feet carry out messages to and from the toes. They extend on both the bottom (plantar) and top (dorsal) sides of the feet.
Other symptoms
Other common symptoms of Morton’s neuroma may include:
- shooting, stabbing, or burning pain in the feet and toes
- a sensation that there’s a lump or pebble under your foot
Symptoms usually develop slowly over time and may worsen if you wear tight shoes or exercise intensely. If left untreated, the condition may worsen over time due to permanent changes in the nerve.
Management strategies
You can manage symptoms of Morton’s neuroma by:
- raising and resting your foot
- taking over-the-counter pain relievers
- using an ice pack on the painful area
- wearing comfortable and wide shoes with a low heel
- maintaining a weight that’s healthy for you
- using pads or soft insoles in your shoes
- avoiding high impact exercises, such as jumping and running
- having regular medical check-ups, if possible
When to seek medical help
If you experience gradual numbness or tingling in your foot, you may want to visit a healthcare professional. They’ll find possible causes. And if they diagnose Morton’s neuroma, they’ll recommend medical treatment options that benefit your particular case.
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a lifelong condition that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).
Early symptoms of multiple sclerosis may include tingling or numbness in the legs, arms, trunk (torso), or face.
Other symptoms
Other early symptoms of multiple sclerosis may include:
- challenges with your balance
- difficulty walking
- changes in your vision
- unexplained fatigue and low energy
- increasing muscle spasms or stiffness
- dizziness
- challenges controlling your bladder
- tremors
- painful joints
Management strategies
Multiple sclerosis requires ongoing management.
If you experience tingling or numbness in your toes, in addition to any of the above-mentioned symptoms, consider visiting a healthcare professional.
These symptoms may have other causes, besides multiple sclerosis. However, early diagnosis may help you manage the condition and lower the chances of complications.
Other common causes
Most of the time, occasional numbness in your toes is not a sign of a medical condition. Toe numbness may also be a result of the following:
- Tight footwear: Anything that cuts off the blood circulation in the toes may cause temporary numbness, tingling, and pain.
- Intense exercise: Walking, jumping, or running for long periods of time may lead to numbness in your feet. This numbness goes away once you stop exercising unless you repeat the routine often.
- Cold weather: Your toes may go numb in colder weather. This is more likely to happen if your feet are also wet.
- Foot injury: If you’re recovering from a foot injury or wearing a tight cast for a foot injury during the recovery, you may experience numbness in the toes.
Other causes of numbness in your toes may include:
- vitamin B12 deficiency
- peripheral artery disease
- broken or fractured toe
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- spinal cord injury
If the numbness in your foot persists or worsens, it’s highly advisable that you discuss this symptom with a healthcare professional. They’ll help you explore possible causes and find symptom relief.
Summary
Numbness in your toes may be a natural and occasional symptom, or it may indicate an underlying health condition.
If the toe numbness becomes recurrent or you experience pain, changes in skin color and texture, or other symptoms, a healthcare team may help you explore causes and treatment options.
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