Ease the pain of bunions - It’s a cinch!
Bunions plague millions of Americans and are often described as the big bump on the side of the big toe. They’re painful, annoying and in extreme cases debilitating. There isn’t a cure for bunions (save for surgery and that’s only performed if a bunion is severe) but there are things you can do to get a little more comfort for your feet
What causes a bunion?
In short, bad foot structure. People are simply born with feet that are prone to developing bunions. Curse your parents, not your shoes. Shoes in and of themselves do not create bunions. However, constricting footwear like high heels or narrow-toed shoes can bring on the symptoms of a bunion much more quickly.
Bunions are a progressive disorder. They begin with a leaning of the big toe, gradually changing the angle of the bones over the years and slowly producing the characteristic bump, which continues to become increasingly prominent. Usually the symptoms of bunions appear at later stages, although some people never have symptoms.
–Foot Physicians
Bunion symptoms
• A painful bump on the ball of your foot
• Inflammation at the site of the bunion
• Burning or numbness
• Ingrown toenail
• Calluses on the big toe
Home remedies for bunions
Ditch the heels and dress shoes and reach for a pair of sneakers. Tennis shoes are made of a softer, more pliable material that gives your feet more room. If you can, it’s best to go au natural, since running around barefoot doesn’t have any material for your foot to rub against and cause you pain.
Try some padding on the site of the bunion. Use a square of soft cotton or pick up a some specially made bunion pads at your local drugstore.
Ease the pain with toe spacers. These special spacers fit between your first and second toe, straightening the big toe to alleviate pressure. You can pick these handy little things at somewhere like Walgreens.
Apply heat or ice to the bunion to relieve pain cause by inflammation. You can do this many times during the day to keep the swelling down.
Con someone into giving you a foot massage. Nothing feels better!
If you’re suffering through an unbearable fit of bunion pain, soak your feet in a nice warm Epsom soak. If you don’t have any Epsom salt, a hot soak in regular tap water will do just fine.
-Magdalena
Do you have any home remedies for bunions? Comment and tell us about them!
