February 04, 2022
Tagged With: At-Home Treatments for Bunions, At-Home Treatments for feet, Bunions, Bunions Treatment in South Texas, Bunions treatment near me, Treatments for Bunions
A bunion, medically named hallux valgus, is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe. A bunion occurs when bone or tissue at the front part of your foot moves out of place, causing the top of your big toe to get pulled toward your smaller toes. This also forces the joint at the base of your big toe to protrude. Bunion makes your skin over it red and sore.
Whether you developed bunion from wearing those pretty but poorly fitted shoes or neuromuscular condition, you can get rid of it by practicing some at-home treatment tips given below.
Tip #1 Soak Your Feet In Footbath
Soaking your feet in the water a few times a week can help reduce pain and inflammation. You can also add Epsom salt in warm water. The magnesium in salt can help stave off soreness and soothe your bunion.
Tip #2 Use Ice For Your Feet
Icing your bunion can relieve soreness and swelling if your bunion becomes inflamed or if you’ve been on your feet too long. Avoid putting ice directly on your skin. Wrap the ice pack in a towel before putting it on your bunion. Keeping your foot elevated during icing can also play a key role in reducing swelling.
Check with your doctor before applying ice if you have circulation problems.
Tip #3 Use Bunion Pads
Over-the-counter bunion cushions or pads may be helpful. These bunion pads act as a buffer between your shoe and foot, thus helping ease your pain. You can buy a gel-filled or moleskin pad at any nearby drugstore.
Tip #4 Take Medications
If your pain is not going away with icing and using pads, take over the counter NSAIDs to control the pain of your bunion. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and acetaminophen might help. If NSAIDs fail to provide relief, you can use cortisone injections.
Tip #5 Use Shoe Inserts
Using shoe inserts can reduce your symptoms and prevent your bunion from getting worse. These inserts help distribute pressure evenly when you move your feet. While some people get relief from over-the-counter shoe inserts, others may require prescription orthotic devices.
Tip #6 Exercise Your Feet
Having weak foot muscles is associated with the walking problem and more pain in people with bunions. You can do the following easy exercises to strengthen your foot muscles.
- Keeping your heel and ball of the foot (forefoot) on the floor, lift your toes up for five seconds, and release.
- With your heels and forefoot on the floor, lift your toes up and spread them apart. Now reach the little toe toward the floor and move your big toe toward your foot’s inside. Hold on for five seconds and release.
- With your feet on the floor, try bending your knees and lifting your heels up while pressing down with your big toe. Hold on in this position for five seconds and release.
Tip #6 Massage Your Foot
Massaging your foot and manually moving your big toe around can keep your tissue soft and toe flexible. Rolling a tennis ball under your foot also massages your foot and strengthens its muscles.
Tip #7 Maintain a Healthy Weight
With every step, your body puts weight on your feet. Being overweight puts more pressure on your foot and big toe joint, thus increasing the chance of developing bunion and making it worse. Losing weight can reduce additional pressure on your big toe joint and reduce symptoms.
Bunions Treatment near Me in South Texas
If your pain and swelling due to bunion are not going away with at-home treatment and are in search of a reliable podiatrist in South Texas, visit us here at The Podiatry Group of South Texas.
Our board-certified podiatrists pride themselves on their commitment that goes beyond providing top-notch care for your foot and ankle conditions. Our providers are trained to use the most advanced method to improve foot health and treat conditions.
To schedule a consultation with our podiatrist, call us today at our podiatry clinic nearest you or fill out the appointment request form.
FAQs
Unfortunately, there is no medical research or data to support the claim that bunion correctors straighten the big toe.
Is there a bunion corrector that actually works? ›
Unfortunately, there is no medical research or data to support the claim that bunion correctors straighten the big toe.
How I cured my bunions naturally at home? ›
Our 10 top tips on treating bunions without surgery:
- Massage and exercise your feet.
- Take a paracetamol.
- Soak your feet in a foot bath.
- Ice your feet.
- Put your feet up!
- Try castor oil.
- Try bunion pads.
- Try bunion splints.
Lapiplasty® is a new procedure using patented technology to correct not only the bunion, but its root cause. It straightens three dimensions of alignment of the metatarsal bone.
What does Epsom salt do for bunions? ›
Relieve bunion pain by soaking your feet in a warm or lukewarm bathtub or head over to a spa for that much-needed foot treatment. For a simple foot bath, add a few tablespoons of Epsom salt, and fill up with water up to ankle level. Soaking your feet for 10 to 15 minutes should help alleviate pain and discomfort.
Has anyone corrected a bunion without surgery? ›
Other non-surgical treatments for bunions include injections of cortisone or oral anti-inflammatory medication and wearing custom-made shoes that accommodate the bunion deformity. Both help provides comfort and relieve pain, but do not reduce the abnormal angles that underlie the bunion deformity.
What is the device to fix bunions without surgery? ›
Caretras Bunion Corrector
It helps relieve discomfort, pressure, and inflammation by constantly applying gentle pressure when on. For the best relief and effectiveness, wear the corrector for 20 minutes each day and gradually increase your usage until you can comfortably wear it for two to three hours.
Is walking barefoot good for bunions? ›
Going barefoot is ideal in the beginning stages of bunions. When barefoot, the joints of the toes will get stronger, an important part of good foot health.
Can anything reverse a bunion? ›
Bunions can't be reversed, and unfortunately, they don't go away on their own. Once you have a bunion, it will likely continue to grow over time. Luckily, many people don't need to have surgery to treat their bunions. It's possible to find pain relief through home remedies, orthotics and other treatments.
Do toe separators work for bunions? ›
Bunion toe spacers cannot cure bunions, but they can help manage pain and prevent further damage to the toe joint.
Sounds crazy, right? But, according to the NIH, menthol and camphor — two of the active ingredients in Vicks VapoRub — may help soothe inflamed joints and muscles by acting as a topical anesthetic. Treating bunions with Vicks may provide temporary, superficial pain relief.
Why is my bunion suddenly so painful? ›
A fluid-filled sac, called a bursa, cushions the bone near the joint on your big toe. When that joint gets bigger because of a bunion, the bursa can get swollen and painful -- that's called bursitis. This can make it hurt even more and may damage the smooth tissue that covers the joint, called cartilage.
Does bunion taping really work? ›
Taping bunions can reduce the bunion pain and stress brought on during the day by most shoes, standing and walking. Taping is often used to provide support, stability or rehabilitation to athletes suffering from bunion pain including runners, dancers, bikers and skiers.
How can I shrink my bunions naturally? ›
By following these steps and incorporating them into your daily routine, you can take charge of your foot health and enjoy greater comfort.
- Step 1: Assess Your Footwear. ...
- Step 2: Use Bunion Pads and Splints. ...
- Step 3: Incorporate Toe Exercises and Stretches. ...
- Step 4: Apply Ice and Heat Therapy. ...
- Step 5: Consider Custom Orthotics.
Shoes that are wider around the toes give bunions space and can relieve some of the pain associated with narrow toed shoes. Bunion massages may also help alleviate some pain. Bunions have trigger points that cause muscles to shorten and massaging the area can help to stretch the surrounding muscles.
What ointment is good for bunions? ›
Use a topical pain-relief gel over the bunion
Quality topical gels like biofreeze can reduce short term pain and inflammation.
Is it worth getting a bunion corrector? ›
Perhaps the term of “bunion correctors” is slightly misleading as they do not actually correct bunions, rather prevents it from getting worse. The only way to really correct a bunion is by surgery. In most cases, this is a last resort for people who are in great pain and have severe deformity.
Can you really correct a bunion? ›
You cannot get rid of bunions or stop them getting worse yourself, but there are things you can do to ease any pain.
Is there a non surgical bunion corrector? ›
Orthotics. Molded shoe inserts that you can buy at your local pharmacy can help correct the mechanics that cause a bunion to form. Custom orthotics made specifically for your feet may be the next step if OTC products don't work.
