Some people may suffer from toe cramps, which causes them anxiety and discomfort. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a specialist doctor to determine the main cause and obtain appropriate treatment.        Dalili Medical reviews in the following report everything related to toe cramps, according to what was stated on our website.

What are the causes of recurring toe cramps?

 

Toe and foot cramps occur as a result of several factors, such as poor blood flow to the extremities, which leads to pain and cramps. This may happen due to sitting for long periods or crossing the legs for an extended period, which slows blood flow to the feet. In addition, there are some medical conditions such as diabetes, in addition to another group of causes mentioned earlier in this article.

What to do if you experience toe cramps?

 

If you feel cramps in your toes, the best way to relieve them is to gently massage your feet and move them while moving your toes. It is preferable to avoid putting pressure on the toes or doing any activity that may increase the pain. You can focus on massaging the front of the toe and the heel of the foot, paying attention to the areas where you feel comfortable.

What vitamin deficiency causes muscle cramps?

 

Vitamin D deficiency is one of the factors that lead to or worsen muscle cramps. Calcium balance also plays an important role in preventing muscle cramps, in addition to the importance of magnesium, which helps muscles relax properly. Therefore, magnesium deficiency can also lead to muscle cramps.

**Causes of toe cramps**

 

Weakness or tightness in the muscles

Some muscles in the foot or the muscles supporting them can be exposed to weakness or tightness, leading to toe cramps. Among these muscles, we find the ankle muscle and the Achilles tendon muscle. This weakness or tightness occurs as a result of several factors, including:

- Doing new sports exercises.

- Wearing shoes that are not suitable in size.

- Staying in a sitting position for long periods.

- Not doing stretching exercises before starting sports activity.

**Exposure to injuries**

A wound in any of the muscles, tendons, or tissues of the foot or toes can lead to cramps. These injuries occur as a result of several factors, including:

1. Severe fatigue.

2. Falling something heavy on the foot.

3. Stretching any muscle, tendon or ligament in the foot.

4. Wearing inappropriate shoes.

As high-heeled shoes increase pressure on the toes, which leads to cramps, and can also cause muscle injuries if the shoe size is not appropriate.

**Dehydration**

Dehydration leads to cramps, as it causes a deficiency of essential minerals in the muscles such as potassium, sodium and manganese, which results in muscle tension and cramps in the toes. The effect of dehydration is exacerbated in the event of an injury to the foot muscles or if the shoe presses on the toes.

**Nerve damage**

Nerve damage can cause cramps and numbness in the toes, and this is due to several diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease.

**Aging**

As you age, the amount of water stored in your muscles decreases, which increases the likelihood of muscle cramps that lead to numbness and cramps in your toes.

**Poor blood flow**

Poor blood flow to your feet and toes can cause cramps. This weakness is due to several factors, such as: diabetes, sitting for long periods with your feet crossed, and peripheral arterial disease.

**Liver and kidney failure**

Kidney or liver failure causes an imbalance in minerals and elements in the body, which leads to nerve damage and poor absorption of nutrients, which may lead to cramps in the toes and other parts of the body.

**Potassium deficiency**

Potassium plays an important role in regulating the vital functions of muscle movement, and when its levels are low, a person may experience cramps and cramps in the feet. If potassium levels are frequently low, a person may suffer from a condition known as hypokalemia.

In addition, consuming small amounts of calcium or magnesium can lead to leg cramps.

**Lack of blood supply**

Narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to the legs, known as atherosclerosis of the extremities, can cause cramp-like pain in the legs and feet during physical activity.

**Calcium deficiency**

Calcium is an essential element for muscle function, as its deficiency leads to involuntary contractions and may also cause cramps. Therefore, it is necessary to check the calcium level in the body when frequent muscle cramps occur. There are many medical conditions that may lead to calcium deficiency, such as hypoparathyroidism (responsible for regulating calcium balance), kidney failure, or vitamin D deficiency.

**Extreme cold**

Low temperatures cause the body to divert blood flow towards the heart in order to warm up and improve blood flow from it. This reduces blood flow to the legs and feet, causing the muscles to lose heat and contract, which may cause painful cramps in the fingers and feet.

**Low magnesium**

Imbalance in magnesium levels is associated with low levels of calcium and potassium in the body. Magnesium deficiency is one of the main causes of cramps experienced by women during pregnancy, in addition to cramps that affect the elderly.

**Low potassium levels**

Potassium deficiency often leads to weakness in muscle function and general dysfunction, and this may cause muscle cramps in some individuals, leading to cramps in the fingers and feet. The doctor can treat this condition by giving potassium supplements and directing the patient to eat foods rich in potassium, such as bananas. Therefore, we notice that professional athletes are keen to eat bananas during breaks during matches.

**اMedications**

Some medications can cause side effects that include muscle cramps. These include neostigmine (used to treat myasthenia gravis), raloxifene (used to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women), tolocapone (used to control Parkinson's disease), and terbutaline (used to treat asthma), as well as other medications that may cause muscle cramps as a side effect. Some people may also experience cramps during withdrawal from drugs or sedatives.

Diseases that affect the toes

There are a number of diseases that affect the toes, which can lead to nerve problems and cause sudden cramps, in addition to affecting the bones. These conditions can sometimes be serious, and the most prominent of them are:

- Athlete's foot

- Corns

- Diabetic neuropathy

- Ingrown toenails

- Plantar fasciitis

- Blisters

- Heel spurs

- Claw toes

When should you see a doctor?

 

If you suffer from recurring cramps in your fingers and toes, it is essential to consult a doctor. You should get an accurate diagnosis to determine whether these symptoms are caused by a medical condition that requires treatment, such as multiple sclerosis or diabetic neuropathy. If the cramps are not related to a specific medical condition, your doctor can provide you with advice on how to deal with this problem.

Symptoms associated with toe cramps

The patient can suffer from a wide range of symptoms that affect his movement as a result of sudden cramps in the extremities and toes, which can be very painful and indicate a health problem. The most prominent of these symptoms are:

- Severe pain that prevents you from walking.

- Inflammation accompanied by fever.

- Cramps associated with kidney failure or diabetes.

- Pale or swollen feet.

- Numbness in the toes.

Medications to treat foot cramps

There are a number of treatments and medications that the doctor recommends to the patient based on his health condition related to foot cramps, which aim to relax the nerves. The most prominent of these treatments are:

- Carbamazepine

- Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal, Oxtelar XR)

- Lamotrigine (Lamictal)

- Phenytoin (Dilantin)

- Valuric acid (Depakene)

**Physiotherapy**

Your doctor can refer you to a physical therapist to treat finger and toe cramps. This specialist determines the location of the pain and identifies the problem, then develops a treatment plan aimed at relieving cramps and preventing them from occurring in the future. Exercises that can be practiced to reduce finger and toe cramps may include the following:

- Leg muscle stretching exercises.

- Plantar fascia stretching for the toe.

- Ankle strengthening exercises.

- Exercises to improve balance.

**Treatment of toe cramps**

There are several ways that can be followed to treat toe cramps, including:

**Exercising**

There are a group of exercises that can help treat cramps, including:

1. Raise the heel of the foot while pressing the toes on the ground for 5 seconds, repeating this movement.

2. Bend the foot so that the heel touches the ground and the toes rise for 5 seconds, repeating this.

3. Place small balls on the ground, then pick them up and put them in a basket using only the toes.

4. Walking on sand can help massage the toes.

**Using cold and hot compresses**

 

Cold compresses help relieve pain, while hot compresses help relax tense muscles.

**Changing shoes**

Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes for long periods, and choose shoes that fit well.

**Drink Water**

Cells need water to stay comfortable and not stressed, so it is important to drink enough water, especially in hot weather and when exercising.

**Change your diet**

You should stick to a diet rich in calcium, potassium and manganese, as a deficiency in these elements can lead to cramps. You should also avoid drinking alcohol because it increases the risk of dehydration.

**Change your medications**

You should pay attention to the side effects of some medications, as they can cause cramps.