If you have a broken big toe, you should seek medical help, especially if the injury is severe or involves an open wound. However, most broken toes can be treated without surgery and can be taken care of at home. Here are some steps you can take to care for a broken big toe:

1. Rest: Stop doing any physical activity that causes pain, and keep your foot immobile whenever possible.

2. Ice: Apply an ice pack to the toe for 20 minutes to help decrease swelling and pain. Never apply ice directly to your skin; place a towel between the ice and skin to prevent frostbite.

3. Buddy taping: Wrap tape around the injured toe and the toe next to it. This helps keep your toe stable. Place a small wad of cotton between the toes to prevent skin soreness.

4. Elevation: Keep your foot elevated above the level of your heart to reduce swelling.

5. Pain relief: You can usually manage pain from a broken toe with over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or acetaminophen. Severe pain might require prescription painkillers.

Most broken toes will heal on their own with proper care at home. It can take 4 to 6 weeks for complete healing. However, if the bone is out of place, it may need to be straightened in order to heal properly, which may require surgery. In rare cases, tiny pieces of bone can break off and keep the bone from healing properly, which may also require surgery.