Bunions: Symptoms, Types, and Treatment

We depend on our feet all day every day so it’s no wonder that having foot problems is very common. One of the causes of foot pain is bunions.   

A bunion usually appears at the outside base of the big toe. They look like protruding bony bumps that cause the big toe to bend towards the other toes instead of pointing straight ahead. 

What causes a bunion?  

Most people believe that wearing shoes that have pointed toes and are narrow are the main cause of bunions. Wearing these kinds of shoes can trigger or exacerbate a bunion but usually, there is an underlying cause.  

Bunions are hereditary. They happen due to defective foot structure that runs in the family. Certain conditions such as flat feet, low arches, loose joints and tendons, and overly elastic ligaments increase the risk of having bunions. 

Factors that can make a bunion worse: 

• Wearing tight or small shoes
• Wearing high heels 
• Wearing pointy shoes
• Arthritis in your feet 
• Standing or walking for long periods of time 

Symptoms of a bunion: 

• Obvious bony bump 
• Swollen and red spot on the side of your big toe
• Your big toe is pointing towards the other toes
• Calluses on the big toe and second toe
• Constant foot pain or it may come and go
• Having a hard time moving your big toe

Kinds of bunions:  

Large Bunion  

Bunions come in different forms and sizes. Some are small and some are large. A large bunion is a severe kind of bunion where the joint found at the base of your toe has angled too much and made the bony bump look very big. A large bunion can cause you to feel more symptoms than others who only have small bunions. This can also make buying the right shoes difficult. 

Bunion with Hallux Limitus  

Hallux limitus or stiff big toe joint is a kind of small bunion that can be distinguished by the restricted movement of the big toe joints. This condition causes the big toe to jam and a bunion is then formed at the top of the base joint instead of the big toe’s outer side. 

Tailor’s Bunion  

The tailor’s bunion, also called a bunionette, is a bony lump that can be found in the pinky instead of the big toe. Also caused by a defective foot structure that makes the pinky lean towards the direction of the other toes. This change of direction causes a bump to form along that area. Even if the bump is just in the pinky, it can affect your mobility and cause too much pain. 

Bunion with Skin Irritation  

Some bunions cause more symptoms than others and bunion with skin irritation is one of these. This mostly happens to people with bunions who still wear close or tight-fitting shoes. The bump rubs on the shoe and this can cause the bump to swell, become raw, and more painful. This can also cause painful calluses to form and make the big toe and second toe rub and irritate each other. 

Treatment:  

Wear the right shoes  

Wear shoes that are not too tight. Wear shoes with a wide toe area and the heels shouldn’t be higher than 2 inches. 

Don’t wear flip-flops 

Flip-flops and other footwear like it don’t have arch support and would strain the big foot joint more. 

Know your correct shoe size 

When buying shoes, ask the shop assistant to measure your foot to make sure that the shoes would be a good fit. 

Go for comfort  

Wear shoes that are comfortable. Don’t go by the size, design, or style. Go with something that you can comfortably wear for long periods of time. 

Wear toe spacers  

Wearing Toe Spacers during the day and at night will reduce the pressure on your toes and help relax your tense foot muscles. Toe Separators can restore and strengthen your toes when worn regularly.  

Stretch your toes  

There are foot exercises that can help alleviate bunion symptoms and prevent bunions from occurring in the future. When done regularly, these exercises can help you keep your feet healthy, pain-free, and avoid surgery.   

Pamper your feet  

After a long day of work and doing house chores, the best reward you can give your feet is a warm Epsom Salt Foot Soak. Epsom salt baths have been known to relax the body as you enjoy the benefits of magnesium. Epsom salt has also been used to ease many pains and illnesses.  

Boost your foot health with the Yamuna Foot Waker and FootSaver Kit   

Enhancing your foot health doesn’t mean you have to spend hours at the gym or at a piece of exercise equipment at home. You only need to spend a few minutes on the Yamuna Foot Wakers and Yamuna Foot Savers. 

Take a rest  

Rest your feet a few times a day. Give them a massage while resting. 

Maintain a healthy weight  

Your body weight puts pressure on your feet in every step you take. Having extra weight means adding extra pressure on your feet and toe joints which increases the risk of bunions occurring or worsening. 

When to consider surgery  

If the bunion just keeps getting worse and it’s affecting your mobility then you might have to consider surgery. Consult a foot specialist to help you find the right treatment. 

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