What is a stubbed toe?
A stubbed toe is the name for any injury that happens when a person suddenly hits or jams their toe. Some common causes include accidentally kicking the toe into a wall or doorframe, tripping over a toy on the floor, or catching the toe on a gate or other object.
Is it bad to walk on a stubbed toe?
Avoid putting pressure on the toe. Even mundane, day-to-day activities can be painful when you’re walking on a stubbed toe. To reduce further pain and swelling, try to shift some of your weight to your heel as you walk and stand.
How do you use a cold compress for a stubbed toe?
1 Whatever you use for your cold compress, wrap it in a towel or rag before pressing it into the skin. NEVER put your ice pack directly on your skin. 2 For the first 24 hours after you stub your toe, you should ice it for 20 minutes every waking hour. 3 See our article on cold compresses for more detailed information.
What should you do if you stub your toe?
Here are some more tips to help you decide what’s best to do next. While stubbing your toe may seem earth-shattering, breaking it can be far worse. A stubbed toe is simply a toe that’s been badly slammed, and may show signs of swelling or bruising, but there is no serious injury under the surface.