Bunions are painful bony bumps that develop on the inside of the foot at the joint of the big toe. They can be caused by genetics and lifestyle factors, particularly wearing narrow or ill-fitting shoes. While bunions won't go away on their own, there are steps you can take to relieve pain and prevent them from worsening.
- Wear wide footwear: Opt for shoes with a wide toe box to provide space for your toes and reduce pressure on the bunion.
- Get better arch support: Wear shoes with proper arch support to correct any instability in your foot arches and reduce pressure on the bunion.
- Size shoes by comfort: Focus on the comfort of your shoes rather than the number size, as sizes can vary between manufacturers.
- Avoid slippers: Instead of narrow slippers, wear sandals with arch support to reduce pressure on the bunion.
- Wear socks designed to reduce friction: Choose socks that reduce friction around the bunion area to avoid irritation.
- Use a protective pad: Apply a bunion pad to reduce pressure on the affected joint and alleviate discomfort.
- Use a toe separator: Toe separators can prevent the big toe from pressing against the second toe, helping to keep the toe joints straight and reduce pain.
- Ice the bunion: Apply ice to the bunion for at least 10 minutes every night to reduce inflammation and swelling.
- Try bunion splints: Bunion splints can help prevent the first and second toes from pushing against each other, relieving pressure and pain.
- Do foot exercises: Strengthening exercises for the foot muscles can help improve foot function and reduce bunion pain.
