How to Treat a Stubbed Toe

A stubbed toe is rarely a serious injury, but the shock of a sharp blow to a sensitive part of the body can really bring tears to your eyes. Treating a stubbed toe is simple in most cases, but you should be on the lookout for any signs of broken bones such as persistent pain or swelling.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Anti-bacterial cream
• Ibuprofen
• Ice
• Bag of frozen vegetables

1. Clean the toe carefully if there is any dirt or other debris in the wound.
2. Ice the toe for about 30 minutes if the pain is severe.
3. Carefully apply a small amount of anti-bacterial cream if the toe is scraped or otherwise wounded.
4. Take ibuprofen if the pain persists.
5. Wear open toed shoes as much as possible until the pain and swelling is completely gone.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don’t have an ice pack, an unopened bag of frozen vegetables is a good substitute.
• If the pain and swelling isn’t gone within a couple of days, see your doctor to make sure the toe isn’t fractured or even broken.
• If you have diabetes or another condition that affects your circulation, pay careful attention to your toe and see a doctor as soon as possible if you notice any signs of infection.