Ah, bunions…not exactly a sexy word, and not exactly a sexy ailment. These unsightly bumps are also sadly more prevalent than you might think: Anyone can develop them, they’re most common in women, and about one in three adults in America will get a bunion during their lifetime. They’re also nothing to be embarrassed about.
The odds are good that if you have a bunion (or two), you’re experiencing discomfort and wondering how to banish this annoying condition. Thankfully, we’re here with the bunion 411: what they are, how to know if you have them, and how to avoid making them worse. Because it’s high time we get these uncomfy little protrusions under control…no if’s, and’s, or bunions.
What are bunions?
If you’ve got a large bump where the base of your big toe meets your foot, congratulations — you’re part of the bunion club. Bunions are caused when the bones in the front part of your foot shift out of place, causing the big toe to pull down toward your other toes and stick out at an angle. If that sounds like it hurts, that’s because for many people, it does: Swelling and soreness are common around the base of the big toe where the joint sticks out.
Bunions can also develop at the pinkie toe joint on the other side of your foot. These smaller bunions are called bunionettes, which is a misleadingly adorable name for an annoying and achy condition.
Why do people get bunions?
People say that beauty is pain, but sometimes, beauty is bunions: One of their main causes is wearing shoes that are too tight, high, narrow, or pointed. Tight shoes can cause your toes to crowd together, leaving the bone inside your big toe nowhere to go but sideways. There’s a genetic component, too — some people just have feet that are more bunion-prone than others. They’re also more common among people with certain medical conditions, like inflammatory arthritis.
What are the symptoms of bunions?
In addition to that telltale bump, you may develop callouses between your first and second toe, at the point where they’re now crowded against one another. Bunions can also lead to: limited movement in the big toe; swelling, redness, and soreness at the toe joint; and persistent pain exacerbated by movement.
If you take an “ignorance is bliss” approach to physical discomfort, beware: Left untreated, bunions can lead to a distressing condition called bursitis, where the fluid-filled pads at the toe joint become inflamed. They can also cause that other glamorously named condition hammertoe, when the joint at the middle of a toe (usually the one right next to the big toe) starts to bend at an uncomfortable angle. Untreated bunions can also lead to swelling at the ball of your foot, a condition called metatarsalgia.
How to shrink bunions naturally
Now that we’re all bunion experts, it’s time to talk solutions. The bad news is, the only way to undo any damage that’s already been done is with surgery. But you can stop your bunions from getting worse, and help ease your agony.
Since one of the most common causes of bunions is ill-fitting shoes, the best non-surgical solutions to shrink bunions naturally are to either wear more comfortable, supportive shoes or to make the kicks you already own work better for your feet. Personally fitted arch supports, like those available at The Good Feet Store, can alleviate and even eliminate these issues and the resulting pain by properly supporting your feet. According to Dr. Pamela Mehta, Chief Medical Officer at The Good Feet Store, “Our personalized arch support system helps distribute pressure evenly across the foot, which can reduce pain in the big toe joint caused by a bunion.” If you’ve got issues or discomfort in any other areas of your feet, these supports could help address them, too.
Relieving bunion irritation calls for the same treatment you’d give to any minor injury: Try to rest your feet when you can, and ice them where they hurt. If your podiatrist agrees, you may also try wearing a brace when sitting or sleeping, to help keep your foot in a neutral position.
How do I stop a bunion from growing?
If you feel a bunion starting to form, don’t panic: Now’s the perfect time to be proactive. If you’re able to get customized arch-support inserts, that’s a great way to stop a bunion’s progress in its tracks. And while it sounds obvious, the most critical thing you can do is to stop wearing shoes that hurt your feet. Too many nights of dancing in those sky-high heels that smush your toes together could mean years of suffering in your future.
