Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) can mean experiencing new and unexpected symptoms that don’t seem MS-related at first. You might feel like you have a hair wrapped around your toe or like something is stuck in your shoe, for example. Some MyMSTeam members have shared similar symptoms that don’t seem connected to MS.

“For the past three weeks, it’s felt like something has been stuck between two of my toes,” one member wrote. “Has this happened to anyone else? Just wondering if this is MS-related.”

A second member wrote of their experience: “Yes! I thought it was just me! I thought I had a bit of cellophane or something stuck since it felt ‘crackly.’”

A third agreed, “Yes, the feeling of something stuck like a piece of tape between my toes. It doesn’t hurt, but I cannot stand the feeling of it.”

If you’ve recently noticed new symptoms in your feet, learning about different MS-related issues may help you understand what’s going on.

What Are Altered Sensations in MS?

Unusual sensations can happen in MS because the immune system attacks healthy tissue, including myelin — the protective coating around nerves. MS affects your central nervous system — your brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve — by forming lesions (also called plaques) on this coating. These lesions damage the nerves and disrupt the electrical signals your brain tries to send to the rest of your body.

One common result of this nerve damage is paresthesia — unusual skin sensations like tingling, prickling, or even a burning feeling. Paresthesia affects up to 80 percent of people with MS. It can feel like something is between your toes, even when nothing is there. Numbness, weakness, and pain are other common MS symptoms caused by nerve damage.

Why Do Altered Sensations Happen?

It can be confusing to feel a sensation that doesn’t seem normal. You might worry that there is something wrong with your body’s tissues in the affected area, whether that’s your big toe, forefoot, or spaces between your toes. However, when abnormal sensations are MS-related, the common causes are typically related to nerve damage rather than tissue damage.

Nerve damage might result in strange sensations, like the feeling of a pebble between your toes because your brain may be unable to properly interpret signals from your muscles. Instead of responding to something outside your body, your brain might recall or recreate sensations it has felt before — like the feeling of something between your toes, wetness, pain, or prickling.

Morton’s Neuroma

The feeling of something between your toes could be a result of a condition called Morton’s neuroma. It’s also sometimes called intermetatarsal neuroma, named for the area of the foot it affects. With this condition, the nerves between your toes might become inflamed, leading to strange sensations such as feeling like something is stuck in your toe or like a hair is wrapped around your toe.

It’s important to talk to your physician about these sensations because Morton’s neuroma can get worse over time.

The sensory symptoms of Morton’s neuroma and MS can feel similar in the feet. This overlap can make it harder for people with MS to get a diagnosis because they may not realize these signs need separate attention from their usual MS symptoms.

Risk factors for Morton’s neuroma include having flat feet, high arches, bunions, hammertoes, or foot problems you’re born with. Other risk factors include playing sports or wearing shoes — like high heels — that put pressure on the balls of your feet or squeeze your toes.

Morton’s neuroma can’t be found on an X-ray, but doctors can use other tests, like an ultrasound or an MRI, to help figure out what’s going on. An ultrasound can help find the problem, and an MRI is sometimes used to rule out other issues that might be causing the same feeling.

Managing Altered Sensations

Altered sensations can be annoying or frustrating, especially when you have other symptoms of MS that are affecting your quality of life. “I feel wet between my toes. It’s horrible!” said one MyMSTeam member.

“Makes me absolutely bonkers!” wrote another.

If you think you may be experiencing altered sensations, you should talk to your neurologist. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms, although these sensations can be tough to treat.

In many cases, treatments may be similar to how other forms of nerve pain are treated. Your doctor might suggest medications such as gabapentin or pregabalin, but medical advice may vary from doctor to doctor.

Doctors might also suggest an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen, a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which helps reduce pain and swelling. Steroids are sometimes also an option.

If you have Morton’s neuroma, your doctor might also suggest orthotics — custom shoe inserts that help reduce discomfort. You may also be referred to a podiatrist if your doctor thinks your foot pain needs a specialist’s attention. Sometimes, physical therapy is an option.

A neurologist will also take into account your specific lifestyle factors, co-occurring health conditions, any supplements you are taking, and the trade-offs between potential treatment options and their side effects before making a recommendation for you.

Talk to Your Doctor

Strange sensations in your feet — like feeling something is between your toes — can be unsettling, but they may be linked to MS or another treatable condition like Morton’s neuroma. The good news is you don’t have to figure it out alone. Talking to your doctor or neurologist can help you get the right diagnosis and find relief. The more you understand your symptoms, the better prepared you are to manage them.

Find Your Team

On MyMSTeam, the online social network for people with multiple sclerosis and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with MS.

Do you sometimes feel like something is stuck in your toe? Have you had altered sensations or foot problems? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.