If you find yourself unable to wear your favorite cowboy boots or sandals because of bunions, there’s still hope! Whether your bunions are causing you pain, or you just don’t like how they look, there are options for bunion relief.
No matter the cause, there are multiple ways to deal with bunions, and sometimes treatment can even be done from home! Read on from your McAllen pharmacy to learn if the pain or curve in your toe may be a bunion and what you can do about it.
What Are Bunions and Where Do They Come From?
If you have a bump at the base of your big toe, it may be a bunion. They develop when your big toe pushes onto your second toe, causing an unusual curve in the side of your foot. You can also get a bunion on your pinky toe called a tailor’s bunion that can curve into your fourth toe.
Causes
Sometimes bunions are simply genetic, but often they are caused by footwear. If you wear narrow or unsupportive shoes, it can affect how you walk, causing bunions.
Symptoms
While everyone experiences pain differently, the symptoms of bunions can vary. People with arthritis may also feel more pain in their bunions than those without arthritis.
- Pain around the toe joint
- Lost or reduced mobility of the toe
- Redness or swelling of the toe
- Calluses from friction between towes
- Tenderness around the toe
8 Relief Options That May Help Bunion Foot Pain
Fortunately, there are ways to treat bunion pain at home; however, bunions are permanent unless they’re surgically removed. The purpose of home treatments is to relieve pain and stop the bunion from getting worse. Bunions usually take several years to form, so it’s a good idea to take action early!
- Wear a Different Type of Shoes – If your shoes are narrow, high-heeled, or unsupportive, it may be time to try wearing orthopedic shoes. Don’t worry; they come in all kinds of styles, colors, and sizes to fit your needs!
- Add Some Extra Padding – You may find that adding an extra shoe insert or bunion padding can give your toes some comfort.
- Stretch and Massage Your Toes – Since bunions can make your toes stiff, you may find relief from stretching and massaging your toes.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight – Most of your body’s weight rests on your big toe joint, and being overweight can cause more pressure on your bunions.
- Wear Toe Splints – A nighttime toe splint may be able to help you sleep without bunion pain.
- Take Over-the-Counter Medication – You may be able to take some medication to reduce the inflammation and pain from your bunion. Ask your pharmacist or provider for advice on which one to take.
- Apply Ice or Soak in Warm Water – Sometimes, icing the joint or soaking your foot in warm water can relax the muscles and reduce inflammation.
- Talk to Your Doctor About Surgery – If the pain begins to seriously affect your life, your doctor may recommend a surgical fix called a bunionectomy. This procedure, used as a last resort, straightens your toe and adjusts the muscles to prevent it from happening again.
Visit Saenz Pharmacy to Pick Up Some Orthopedic Shoes
If you’re seeking relief from bunion pain or just want to take better care of your feet, one big step you can take, pun intended, is getting a pair of orthopedic shoes.
With extra support and room in the toe box, orthopedic shoes can give your toes (and bunions) the space they need. You can pick up some orthopedic shoes at Saenz Pharmacy — it may be just the thing you need to relieve your foot pain today!