Factors that may cause blue toe syndrome include the following: - Blocked arteries - Damaged blood vessels - Restricted blood flow - Kidney failure - Medications like blood thinners or coagulants and recreational drugs - Complications during a medical procedure such as a surgery - Angiogram When the cells and tissues in your toes don't get enough blood, they may be damaged and slowly die, causing them to turn purple or blue. This condition is called the blue toe syndrome, sometimes also called occlusive vasculopathy or trash foot.