How to Relieve Bunions
Women are much more likely than men to get bunions because of narrow-toed shoe fashion. If a bunion is allowed to worsen, the big toe may eventually come to rest under the second toe. Bunions, when ignored, can result in a crippling deformity.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Bunion Treatments
- Cotton Socks
- Adhesive Bandages
- Cushioned Shoe Insoles
- Non-medicated Bunion Pads Of Paper
- Ice Packs
- Ice packs
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1
Wear shoes with plenty of toe room. If your shoe is not shaped like a human foot, don't wear it.
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2
Go barefoot as much as possible. This reduces pressure on the big toe.
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3
Buy custom-made shoes if your physician advises it. Shoes can be designed to help properly position the big toe.
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4
Ask your doctor about special bunion pads and dressings available by prescription to protect your toes from shoe pressure. You can also buy bunion pads at the drugstore.
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5
Elevate your foot and ice your big toe if the bunion is red and sore. Put the ice on for 20 minutes, every hour, until the bunion feels less painful. Do not apply ice directly; always use an ice pack, ice bag or compress.
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6
Ask a doctor about getting a steroid injection and local anesthetic in your bunion to reduce inflammation. This shot is occasionally given when the bunion is causing bursitis, which is the inflammation of the bursa, or saclike joint covering.
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7
Ask your doctor to apply splints or digital orthotics to reposition your big toe. Orthotics are devices that act as aids in improving body mechanics.
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8
Get a prescription for an orthotic that will correct your foot function.
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9
Consult your doctor about bunion surgery to correct foot deformities.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or circulatory problems, consult a physician before self-treating foot problems.
If severe swelling, redness, heat or pain persist for two days, or if you see a break in the skin and feel feverish, contact a physician.
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.
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Comments
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Aug 08, 2006
Wear the extremely fashionable wraparound slouch shoes that will cure your bunions in no time! -
Aug 08, 2006
It may sound crazy, but magnetic shoes honestly work. They relieve the stress put on bunions and help them slowly but effectively reduce and cure. This is a cheap and great way of getting rid of those irritative bunions! Magnetic shoes are available from all sorts of shoes retailers and from online shops!
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Nov 22, 2005
Massage and stretching the toes to restore movement to joints of the feet can relieve the pain of bunions greatly. Coupled with wearing shoes that fit, I have helped many. Tight muscles contribute to bunions. I'm a bunion sufferer and Massage Therapist.
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Nov 22, 2005
Massage with Ibuprofen gel when bunions are swollen and hurting, before wearing shoes and especially afterward. That helps a lot, as does an ice-pack (a pack of frozen peas is good) for 5 minutes or so every hour. The massage needs to be for quite a long time though - husband gets bored after 10 minutes but I'd prefer an hour!
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Nov 22, 2005
A tried-and-true remedy to relieve inflammation of bunions is ginger capsules. I haven't had a minute of pain since I started taking two ginger capsules daily.
