How to Tape a Toe

If you believe you have suffered a serious toe injury, be sure to visit your doctor before attempting to tape the toe yourself. A broken toe may not sound like a major injury, but the bone may need to be set straight, in order to heal correctly. Once you have established the severity of your injury, and know what you are dealing with, you can support your toe by using a buddy wrap. This is where you tape the injured toe to another toe, in order to give it stability and keep the toes straight.

Things You'll Need

• Gauze or cotton pad
• Wrapping tape

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Instructions

• 1

  Carefully remove the old tape and pads, if you were taped at the doctor's office already.

• 2

  Clean off the toe and surrounding area with mild soapy water. You can take a bath with the damaged toes, but be careful not to stand on them, furthering the injury. Wipe the area clean, and be sure to let it fully dry.

• 3

  Insert a small piece of gauze or cotton padding between the damaged toe and the one you are taping it to. This minimizes the friction between the two toes, something that can lead to blisters.

• 4

  Take a small amount of half-inch tape and stick one end to your healthy toe. Wrap the tape around both toes, and finish the tape so that it feels secure. You want the wrap to give some stability, but you do not want it to be overly tight.