Can what you eat really affect the state of your bunion? Well, as with any condition that presents with inflammation, there are foods that can help to reduce the swelling in the body. On the other hand, there are foods that will only contribute to your misery.
For most bunion sufferers, bunions exist in a state of constant inflammation, either jammed into fitted shoes with pointed toes and an ill fit. If the degree of the bunion deformity is extreme, almost any shoe will rub the bony nubs into a red and raw fit. For others, inflammatory arthritis is the direct cause. In either scenario, bursitis (inflammation of fluid filled sacs) may accompany your bunion. Either way you slice it, you are dealing with inflammation in your foot. For that reason, you have nutritional decisions to take into account, and they can help to reduce the level of inflammation you are dealing with, regardless if whether said inflammation is the cause or the effect of your bunion.
After reviewing the suggestions below, you should discuss them with your doctor to formulate your best strategy for your specific condition.
Inflammation produces free radicals (which are bad) and antioxidants, such as Vitamin C, Selenium, Carotenes, and Bioflavonoids (which are good, and protect the body from the effects of inflammation) to help bring your bunion pain relief.
Here’s a list of foods that top each category.
Foods known for their anti-inflammatory properties include:
- Onions and garlic
- Berries (including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries)
- Cherries (tart cherries are 10 times better than aspirin!); 2 tbsp per day
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish such as salmon, sardines, oysters and herring, to name a few)
- Canola Oil, flax seed and flax seed oil)
- Bromelain (for example, pineapples)
- Ginger
- Tomatoes
- Citrus fruits (Such as oranges, lemons and grapefruit)
- Kiwis
- Broccoli (That’s right — eat your broccoli!)
- Spinach
- Kale
- Bell peppers
- Nuts (Pistachios and walnuts)
Nutritional supplements known for their anti-inflammatory properties
- Arnica
- Tumeric (a mustard yellow spice found in yellow curry)
- White willow
- Feaverfew
- Burdock
- Grape seed extract
- Selenium
Foods to avoid because of their inflammatory properties:
- Soft Drinks
- Sugar
- Junk food
- Refined flour
- Omega-6 foods (such as corn and soybean oils in margarine, candy, crackers and processed food. Eating these is ok in moderation, but too much of it will counteract the good Omega-3s that are hard at work to reduce inflammation.)
- Hot dogs
- Smoked Sausages (it’s the nitrates!)
- Corn fed meats (The living conditions of these animals results in meat that is high in saturated fats. And that’s all not to mention the hormones and antibiotics they are given. Let’s stick to grass-fed!)
- Trans fats (Including baked goods, chips, snack foods and deep fried foods)
- Dairy Products (They contain a common allergen that can trigger inflammatory responses in many people.)
- Alcohol (You knew it was coming. Split the difference and have a glass of red wine, then call it a night!)
At the end of the day, you know what’s best for your body in general. So follow the basic laws of good nutrition and your bunions will thank you!
FAQs
Our doctors may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce swelling and relieve pain in the foot and toe affected by a bunion. NSAIDs are taken by mouth. Many of these medications, including ibuprofen and naproxen, are available without a prescription.
What foods are good for bunion pain? ›
Foods known for their anti-inflammatory properties include:
Berries (including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries) Cherries (tart cherries are 10 times better than aspirin!); 2 tbsp per day. Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish such as salmon, sardines, oysters and herring, to name a few)
How did I cured my bunions naturally? ›
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.
The bony bump of a bunion can also become irritated from rubbing against tight, narrow shoes or being compressed into pointy high-heeled shoes. This pressure and friction can irritate the skin and potentially inflame the tissues around the big toe joint.
What aggravates bunion pain? ›
The skin over the bunion might be red and sore. Wearing tight, narrow shoes might cause bunions or make them worse.
What supplements help bunion pain? ›
Taking natural supplements such as spirulina, curcumin, and ginger may help heal bunions by reducing inflammation.
What is the home remedy for bunion pain? ›
Tips for bunion relief
- Elevate the foot whenever possible.
- Soak the foot in warm water with Epsom salts.
- Apply ice, wrapped in a thin cloth, to the bunion.
- Massage the whole foot area.
- Stretch out shoes to fit the bunion.
- Use protective bunion pads in shoes.
- Try to maintain a moderate weight.
Start with icing the painful bunion, which should numb the area and reduce the swelling. Keep the ice on for 10-20 minutes. Wait for an hour or two before applying heat, whether it's a hot pack or a warm bath for your feet. Heat relaxes and soothes your bunion pain.
Does magnesium help bunions? ›
Podiatrist Hillary Brenner suggests soaking your bunion-plagued feet in Epsom salt when they're causing discomfort. The salt's magnesium and sulfate are known anti-inflammatory agents, and can soothe achy joints while also easing muscle pain. Dr. Amnon Barnea, owner of Walk NYC Podiatry, also likes Epsom salt.
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.
Ways to shrink or prevent bunions from worsening include wearing supportive footwear, taking pain medications or using pain-relieving topical creams, doing bunion stretches and exercises, and using ice packs, warm soaks, and gentle massage.
Can you really correct a bunion without surgery? ›
This may also help to reduce the severity. Bunions are permanent without surgery, but surgery isn't always necessary. In general, bunions need surgery if the pain is severe and conservative treatments don't keep bunions from getting worse, or if it's affecting your activities or causing other foot concerns.
What foods aggravate bunions? ›
If you have bunions, you'll want to avoid high-purine foods like:
- Red meat.
- Shellfish.
- Organ meats (liver, kidneys, etc.)
- Certain types of fish (anchovies, sardines, herring)
Elliott Perel sees many patients who've developed bunions, not just from stress, but also from other causes, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
What anti-inflammatory is good for bunions? ›
Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) can help you control the pain of a bunion. Cortisone injections also might help.
How do you relieve a bunion flare up? ›
Use hot and cold therapies
Keep the ice on for 10-20 minutes. Wait for an hour or two before applying heat, whether it's a hot pack or a warm bath for your feet. Heat relaxes and soothes your bunion pain. Repeat this cycle until the flare-up resolves.
Is Voltaren gel good for bunion pain? ›
Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel
Although this product is formulated to help topically combat arthritis, this is great for bunion relief, according to Sharkey.
What cream helps bunion pain? ›
Use a topical pain-relief gel over the bunion
Quality topical gels like biofreeze can reduce short term pain and inflammation.
How do you numb a bunion pain? ›
Ice it down. While it's a fairly basic technique, icing your bunions when they act up is incredibly effective. The intense cold helps to numb your pain and keep swelling and inflammation to a minimum. This is one of the easiest therapies you can do.
