Bunions are pretty common. Women have a one in two chance of getting a bunion at some point; they’re one of the most commonly seen foot issues by podiatrists. If you think that you might have a bunion, but you aren’t sure, then read on to learn more about how to identify and cope with bunions.
What Are Bunions?
A bunion is a bony growth that is located on the big toe, at the joint nearest the base of the toe. Bunions can also occur on the small toes, in which case they are called bunionettes or Tailor’s bunions. Bunions can be caused by wearing high heeled shoes or shoes with a narrow toe box, but they can also develop simply as the result of heredity, or poor gait. Wearing high heeled or narrow shoes causes the big toe to be forced in an unnatural direction. When this happens continually, the joint of the big toe actually gets bigger. This exacerbates the problem, because the larger size of the toe makes it push even more against the smaller toes.
Risk Factors for Bunions
You are more likely to develop bunions if you have any of the following risk factors:
- You are female;
- One of your parents had bunions;
- You are (or were) a dancer;
- You have had an injury to the foot;
- You wear high heels;
- You have arthritis.
Identifying a Bunion
If you think that you may have a bunion, take a look at your feet. Your big toe should point straight forward and form a nearly straight line with the heel. If the big toe seems crooked and there is a bump on the side of the toe, near the base of the toe, then you probably have a bunion.
Symptoms of Bunions
Bunions tend to get larger as time goes on, and can increasingly force the toe into a crooked position in which the big toe points toward the smaller toes. Bunions tend to be painful, and can cause redness and irritation of the skin, particularly after wearing shoes.
Coping with Bunion Pain
The most important thing that a person can do to deal with bunion pain is to wear appropriate shoes. Avoid high heels as much as possible. If you must wear high heels, choose a heel that is no more than two inches tall. Try to only wear them for short periods of time – preferably less than two hours. All shoes that you wear should be sufficiently wide and have a roomy toe box.
Don’t wear pointy toed shoes; opt for a square or rounded toe box, instead. You should be able to wiggle your toes around easily inside the shoe, and the edges of the shoe should not rub against your toes. You can also wear bunion pads inside your shoes, which help to prevent friction against the bunion.
If you have a hard time finding shoes that are wide enough or fit comfortably with your bunions, visit a specialised shoe store. You will find that there is a much better selection of sizes and styles that are appropriate for bunions. Bunions often occur because shoes are too narrow, so wearing the appropriate width of shoe is very important in dealing with bunion pain.
If you have bunions, visit Foot Solutions in your area. We have many styles of shoes that are appropriate for people with bunions. We will measure your feet to make sure that you are wearing the right size and width, and we’ll help you find shoes that fit comfortably. Visit Foot Solutions UK for the perfect shoes to cope with bunions today.
