What causes numb toes? Related conditions and treatments

Overview: What do numb toes feel like?

Most people have experienced numb toes at some point. Cold weather, tight shoes, standing on the feet too long—all of these are common reasons toes or the feet start to tingle or get numb. By definition, toe numbness is losing some or all the sensation in a toe. It can range from tingling to a pins and needles sensation to feeling nothing at all. Occasional toe numbness is nothing to be concerned about, especially if there’s an obvious reason for it. If it doesn’t go away or has no apparent cause, then it may be due to an underlying condition that could be serious. 

RELATED: Why are my toes numb?

What causes numb toes?

The two main causes of numb toes are insufficient blood flow and/or nerve problems.

The most common causes of numb toes are harmless. Numb toes usually result from anything that temporarily compresses a nerve or reduces blood flow to the toes:

• Tight shoes or high heels

• Swelling due to overusing the foot, such as heavy impact exercise (running) or standing for extended periods

• Cold

• Frostbite

• Foot injury

• Bunions

• Drinking too much alcohol

Sometimes, numb toes are a symptom of an underlying condition, usually one that affects the nerves. Medical conditions that damage nerves in the foot or leg, causing peripheral neuropathy, include: 

• Diabetic neuropathy: Many healthcare providers suspect diabetes when a patient complains of chronic toe numbness. Numb toes are often an early symptom of diabetes. High blood sugar levels damage nerves throughout the body, including peripheral nerves, starting with the toes and feet.

• Vitamin B12 deficiency: A vitamin B12 deficiency, also called beriberi, can affect nerve function throughout the body. Nerves in the hands and feet are often affected first, so numb toes, numb feet, or numb hands may be an early sign of a vitamin B12 deficiency. 

• Metatarsalgia: Swelling of the bones near the toes typically happens in people who wear tight shoes or exercise intensely. The most evident symptom is foot pain, but numb toes are common.

• Tarsal tunnel syndrome: Tarsal tunnel syndrome is the foot’s version of carpal tunnel syndrome. An important nerve in the foot, the tibial nerve, gets compressed as it squeezes through a narrow opening at the ankle. The most common symptom is numbness that affects part or all of the foot.

• Morton’s neuroma: Morton’s neuroma is an unusual nerve growth near one of the toes. Though having one or two numb toes is common, the most prominent symptom is pain right near the toe.

• Guillain-Barre syndrome: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a rare condition in which the immune system attacks nerves. The most common symptoms are weakness, numbness, and even paralysis. Tingling in the toes, fingers, hands, and feet is an early sign. 

• Multiple sclerosis: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative disease of the nerves. Numbness is a common symptom, but MS will have more obvious symptoms, such as muscle weakness.

• Sciatica: Sciatica is caused by an injury or compression of the main leg nerve, called the sciatic nerve. It is usually intensely painful and can cause numb toes, feet, or leg numbness.

• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is an inherited degenerative disease of the peripheral nerves. Numb toes, feet, fingers, and hands are common symptoms, but the most common signs of CMT are muscle weakness, foot deformities, hand deformities, and “foot drop,” an inability to hold the foot up when raising a leg.

• Lyme disease: Lyme disease is a bacterial infection. While it can cause numbness in the feet, legs, hands, or arms, its most common symptoms are fatigue, fever, headache, joint pain, and rash.

• Shingles: Shingles is a herpes infection that usually affects older adults. It primarily attacks the nerves near the skin and can cause itching, burning, or numbness anywhere on the body.

• Chemotherapy: Numb toes and other peripheral neuropathy symptoms are common side effects of anticancer drugs, affecting about half to two-thirds of people receiving chemotherapy. Other symptoms might include loss of fine motor skills, balance problems, walking problems, or difficulty hearing.

• Alcohol abuse: Called alcoholic neuropathy, long-term alcohol abuse damages peripheral nerves, causing numbness, tingling, or pain anywhere on the arms or legs. Other symptoms include weakness, cramps, and walking problems.

Other causes of numb toes involve reduced blood flow to the toes or the foot. These include:

• Vasculitis: Vasculitis is swelling of the blood vessels, causing reduced blood flow. It has many causes, including autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, infections, and medication side effects. Reduced blood flow to the feet can cause numb toes or numb feet. 

• Raynaud’s disease: Raynaud’s syndrome involves episodic tightening of blood vessels to the fingers and toes, causing numb toes, numb fingers, and skin discoloration.

• Peripheral artery disease: Peripheral artery disease decreases the blood supply to the arms or legs. Symptoms are often provoked by physical activity, such as walking or climbing stairs. The most common symptoms are numbness in the toes, feet, or legs, weakness, and muscle cramping.

Sometimes, numb toes are related to damage to the spinal cord, such as:

• Herniated disk: A herniated disc in the lower back can compress the sciatic nerve. This can cause foot pain, foot numbness, or numb toes.

• Syphilis: Later-stage syphilis attacks the brain and spinal cord. When it affects the back part of the spinal cord, it can cause numbness or tingling in the toes, feet, or hands.

Finally, numb toes can be due to brain disorders:

• Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA): Numbness or tingling in one part of the body, such as the toes, can be a lingering effect of a stroke. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a ministroke, and symptoms like numb toes should eventually resolve.

• Brain injury: As with a stroke, a brain injury can cause numbness or tingling on one part of the body, such as the toes, but it depends on the nature of the injury.

• Seizures: A Jacksonian seizure typically begins with tingling in a toe, finger, or the corner of the mouth, then spreads to other areas.

Should I be worried about numb toes?

Numb toes are usually a temporary problem that resolves without medical treatment or complications. However, if the numbness doesn’t go away, keeps happening, or is accompanied by other symptoms, visit a doctor or other healthcare provider for a medical evaluation. Although numb toes aren’t associated with dire complications, they may be caused by a medical condition like diabetes that does have serious complications. By itself, toe numbness is not a reason to go to an emergency room unless there are other symptoms, such as severe pain. Immediate treatment is also needed if the numbness is due to a fracture or frostbite.

How is the cause of numb toes diagnosed?

People concerned about numb toes will typically see a primary care provider, but that clinician may refer them to a foot and ankle specialist (podiatrist), neurologist, vascular doctor, bone and muscle specialist (orthopedist), infectious disease specialist, or rheumatologist.

Diagnosis will be made based on symptoms, a medical history, and a review of current medical conditions and medications being taken. The doctor will want to know what the numbness feels like, when the numbness started, how quickly the numbness developed, and other symptoms. The doctor may perform a physical exam and a foot exam. A neurological exam may also be performed to assess the health of the nervous system. 

Depending on the suspected cause, clinicians may need to administer tests such as:

• Blood tests

• Nerve function tests

• Imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, or an MRI

• Biopsy—removing sample tissues to examine under the microscope

• Spinal tap

• Electroencephalogram (EEG) to detect any seizure disorder

Are numb toes contagious? 

The common causes of numb toes are not contagious diseases. There is one exception: syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI). However, when syphilis causes numbness, it’s in its advanced stage. That usually takes five to 30 years when left untreated. Anyone with an active STI must use a barrier method during sex to prevent transmission.

How long do numb toes last?

Numb toes typically last for as long as the underlying cause. In most cases, that means numb toes are a temporary issue. 

Many conditions that cause peripheral neuropathy or blood flow problems, like hypothyroidism, tarsal tunnel syndrome, or vitamin B12 deficiency, can be fixed, and symptoms will fade. 

Some conditions, like Raynaud’s syndrome, may be lifelong conditions. People will have repeated episodes of numb toes and numb feet. 

Some conditions, such as diabetic neuropathy or a stroke, can cause permanent damage to the nerves. Numbness and other nerve deficits may be lifelong complications. 

Some conditions, like multiple sclerosis or Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome, are degenerative. Symptoms will worsen over time.

How to stop numb toes

Treatment options for numb toes will depend on the underlying condition.

No matter what the cause, how to get rid of numb toes involves simple, conservative measures, such as:

• Removing tight shoes or garments

• Applying ice to reduce swelling

• Applying heat to warm the foot and loosen muscles

• Massaging the foot and toes to increase blood flow to the toes

• Moving around to increase blood flow to the feet

Living with numb toes

No matter what the cause, if numb toes are a chronic or frequent problem, they can be managed with a few simple measures:

• Wear loose shoes and avoid high heels

• Cut back on or avoid alcohol

• Limit caffeine intake 

• Stop smoking

• Lose weight 

• Keep the feet warm by wearing extra socks or covering them with a blanket when at home

• Eat a healthy diet

• Take dietary supplements if necessary

• Exercise regularly to improve blood flow

• Visit a podiatrist to get fitted for orthotics, such as shoe inserts, to provide cushioning and comfort

What’s next? Additional resources for people with numb toes

Test and diagnostics

• Neuropathy, StatPearls (2022)

Treatments

• Neuropathy treatments and medications, SingleCare (2020)

• Paresthesia, Cleveland Clinic (2023)

• Peripheral diabetic neuropathy treatments and medications, SingleCare (2023)

Scientific studies and clinical trials

• Treatment and diagnosis of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: An update, Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy (2022)

More information on related health conditions

• Diabetes treatments and medications, SingleCare (2023)

• Diagnosing and treating Raynaud’s disease, SingleCare (2021)

• Lyme disease treatments and medications, SingleCare (2021)

• Raynaud’s treatments and medications, SingleCare (2021)

• Sciatica treatments and medications, SingleCare (2021)

• Shingles treatments and medications, SingleCare (2022)

• Syphilis treatments and medications, SingleCare (2020)