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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.
You may have broken your toe if it's:
Do not worry if you're not sure if it's broken or just bruised, treatment is usually the same for both.
You may need further treatment in hospital, such as a boot, cast or surgery.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
If you cannot get to A&E by yourself, call 999 for an ambulace.
Doctors will usually suggest you treat a broken toe at home first if:
Broken toes usually heal within 4 to 6 weeks, but it can sometimes take several months.
take ibuprofen or paracetamol for the pain and swelling
rest your foot and keep it raised
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
wear wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel
avoid walking around as much as possible
strap up your broken toe – 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
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
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
You can ask a pharmacist about:
They may send you for an X-ray to see if you need any further treatment.
