By the toes do you mean the actual toes, or the end of the foot before the toes attach? If you type 'metatarsals' into Google you'll see what I'm getting at. In a way the toes extend into the foot a bit so I hope I'm not being stupid.
There's a particular injury often affects the second or third toes, just inside the foot, which is related to overuse. I would certainly seek out an X-ray (which a GP can order) as if it's arthritis, you should see some changes, and if it's a stress fracture, ditto.
NSAIDs are anti-inflammatories. If you have an angry joint, use can make it angrier and more inflamed and you end up with a vicious circle which you may be able to break with anti-inflammatories. If it's a toe I would try a topical gel first. But you have to use them regularly as 421dog states - they're not just for pain.
And I'd still get it looked at again.