You might have observed a small bump on the big toe of some people. You might have wondered what it is. That tiny little bump is a bunion. It is a general tendency of people to ignore bunions.
Many times people are unaware of bunions too. But bunions may sometimes cause serious pain and inflammation. So let’s discuss bunions and how to get rid of them.
What is a bunion?
A bunion is a bump that occurs at the joint of the big toe. It exactly grows on the joint where your toe bends when you walk. If you have a bunion, your body weight falls on that particular portion and hurts when you walk.
And the bunions get rubbed by your shoe, which may result from calluses due to constant friction.
What causes bunions?
There are several causes to get bunions
- A bunion grows due to a condition is known as excessive pronation. This means you do not put your toe properly when you walk. Hence, the body weight falls on your big toe making it lean inward. In this case, bunions develop slowly after years of wrong stepping while you walk.
- If you were shoes or have a flat foot problem, you can develop a bunion which might be very painful.
- The bone structure of the body or some other injuries may also cause bunions.
- If you leave bunions untreated, then you will face problems with other toes as the big toe bends inward. Hence, it will cause other problems such as ingrown nails, calluses, hammer toes, etc. It may also cause arthritis in the big toe joint.
How to get rid of bunions naturally using simple hacks?
Wear bunion pads
Bunion pads are available in pharmacies. If you have detected a bunion at its early stage, then it will relieve your pain. It helps to push your toe back to its original position. You can also get shoe inserts that help to align your toe properly.
Bunion aids are available in pharmacies. This method is beneficial and effective. But you must see that the bunion pads or shoe inserts you buy fit you properly; otherwise, it is of no use.
Exercises
Foot exercises retard the growth of bunions. When you return after too much physical work, you can do some foot exercises which may help you to relax and get rid of bunions.
You can stretch your big also with your finger in the forward direction to keep them aligned. You can do it for your other toes too. Do this for ten to fifteen seconds. You will feel much better.
To make your toes more flexible, press your toes against a wall or some smooth surface till the particular point they bent. Do this regularly, and you will get good results.
Picking up things with your toes is another good exercise. You can pick up light objects with your toes, such as clothes. Pick it and drop for a few times.
To get good results, you must practice them regularly. And the fun part is that you can do these exercises
Use proper shoes
Most often, bunions are caused by improper shoes you use daily. A shoe that is a misfit to you will disturb the structure of your bone and cause bunions. People generally prefer the look over comfort while buying shoes.
Most of the so-called attractive shoes are tight and narrow. But I suppose you might be wrong. It would help if you bought shoes you are comfortable in. If you don’t get shoes that fit you, you can always go to a shoemaker as it will resolve fitting issues.
Women should not wear high heels regularly but change to more comfortable flats. High heels increase the pain and cause further problems.
Epsom salt
Epsom salt is quick to
The pain and inflammation will be reduced. You can do this after you get back from work regularly.
Applying Oil
Massaging olive oil and castor oil on the bunion helps to increase blood circulation around the area. Suppose you apply it twice a day. And if you continue this for a few weeks, the
So it will also alleviate your pain and reduce inflammation. You need to warm the castor oil and massage gently over the bunion. Then cover the place with a soft cloth. Leave it for a few minutes, and you will get rid of your pain.
Taking a warm bath
Bathing in lukewarm water always helps in reducing any pain. It enhances blood circulation. You can take a bowl containing lukewarm water and immerse your feet. This will reduce your pain and swelling. You can add essential oils for better results.
How to avoid bunions from growing?
- If you want to prevent bunions from growing, you need to wear proper shoes. The shoes should be comfortable, and your feet must fit into it properly. Avoid high heels and tightly fitted shoes.
- If you have excessive pronation, your doctor must tell you to buy medical shoes with a soft sole. They may also suggest using shoe inserts to bring back the toes in proper shape.
- Certain activities cause bunions such as over-exercising which puts pressure on your toe. Ballet dancing is another major cause of bunions. So, you can try to avoid these activities.
- Toe exercises prevent bunion growth. As discussed earlier you can do the toe exercises whenever you get time.
- Bunions can be inherited due to bone structure. So you should keep track of the shape of your feet and toes to ensure that you don’t have a bunion.
