Introduction
Inflammation of the toe is a relatively common and varied complaint, in which an inflammatory process takes place in the toe in the tissue, joints or bone. Harmless changes such as an inflamed nail bed are often responsible, but systemic diseases can also be behind an inflammation in the toe, which then manifests itself particularly through an inflammation in the big toe.
Symptoms
Inflammation of the toe causes a number of unspecific but typical symptoms of inflammation. Initially, the toe hurts, initially during exertion and later at rest. The pain is described as sharp and sharp and gets worse with touch or movement.
A throbbing pain is often felt, which can be explained by small pulsating arteries. In some cases the inflammation is purulent, which suggests a bacterial cause. If rheumatoid arthritis is the cause of the symptoms, other joints in the whole body besides the toe may also show similar symptoms.
When gout is the cause, a sudden onset of severe pain, especially in the big toe, is often typical. Inflammation of the toe can have numerous causes, ranging from a slight local inflammation to a systemic underlying disease. The simplest cause of an inflammation of the toe is an inflammation of the nail bed, which in most cases affects the big toe.
The nail bed is the layer of skin that lies directly under the nail and is normally well shielded against external irritation. However, small injuries in the area of the nail wall or the adjacent skin can cause pathogens to migrate. A classic example would be a splinter of wood that has penetrated the nail.
As pathogens bacteria, viruses and also fungi are possible. These pathogens have a very good environment under the nail to multiply quickly and cause the inflammation on the toe. Faulty nail care, which leads to dry skin, or frequent contact with chemicals can also cause small cracks in the skin and promote inflammation.
Another common cause is an ingrown toenail, which in the course of time also causes an inflammation on the toe. This clinical picture usually affects the big toe. The cause of an ingrown nail is, on the one hand, too tight shoes, which prevent the nail from growing freely, and, on the other hand, a too-short cut, especially at the edges of the nail, can promote ingrowth.
In addition, there are also forms of inflammation of the toe, which are not based on a local cause or damage, but on various basic diseases. Gout, for example, typically causes inflammation of the big toe as the first sign of the disease. This phenomenon is so characteristic that it has been given a proper name, Podagra.
Gout is a metabolic disease in which there is too much uric acid in the blood. The production of uric acid can be increased in the course of numerous processes or the kidney is (additionally) no longer capable of excreting excess uric acid. This is then deposited as crystals in joints, where it causes inflammation with sudden, severe pain and swelling.
A distinction is made between an acute attack of gout and a chronic course. In addition, if the inflammation is isolated from the toe, a rheumatological cause such as rheumatoid arthritis must be considered, even if the toe is not usually the first manifestation. This disease belongs to the autoimmune diseases, which means that the body produces substances that attack its own tissues. The exact causes and mechanisms are not yet fully understood.
