Bunions

The main symptoms of bunions are hard lumps on the sides of your feet, by your big toes. Credit: Mediscan / Alamy Stock Photo https://www.alamy.com/hallux-valgus-bunions-image1684878.html?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid=7311439E-DA3A-46D3-9A75-6CBBDDE2F698&p=17774&n=155&orientation=0&pn=1&searchtype=0&IsFromSearch=1&srch=foo%3Dbar%26st%3D0%26sortby%3D3%26qt%3Dhallux%2520valgus%26qt_raw%3Dhallux%2520valgus%26qn%3D%26lic%3D3%26edrf%3D0%26mr%3D0%26pr%3D0%26aoa%3D1%26creative%3D%26videos%3D%26nu%3D%26ccc%3D%26bespoke%3D4%26apalib%3D%26ag%3D0%26hc%3D0%26et%3D0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3D0%26loc%3D0%26ot%3D0%26imgt%3D0%26dtfr%3D%26dtto%3D%26size%3D0xFF%26blackwhite%3D%26cutout%3D%26archive%3D1%26name%3D%26groupid%3D%26pseudoid%3D%26userid%3D%26id%3D%26a%3D%26xstx%3D0%26cbstore%3D0%26resultview%3DsortbyRelevant%26lightbox%3D%26gname%3D%26gtype%3D%26apalic%3D%26tbar%3D1%26pc%3D%26simid%3D%26cap%3D1%26customgeoip%3DGB%26vd%3D0%26cid%3D%26pe%3D%26so%3D%26lb%3D%26pl%3D0%26plno%3D%26fi%3D0%26langcode%3Den%26upl%3D0%26cufr%3D%26cuto%3D%26howler%3D%26cvrem%3D0%26cvtype%3D0%26cvloc%3D0%26cl%3D0%26upfr%3D%26upto%3D%26primcat%3D%26seccat%3D%26cvcategory%3D*%26restriction%3D%26random%3D%26ispremium%3D1%26flip%3D0%26contributorqt%3D%26plgalleryno%3D%26plpublic%3D0%26viewaspublic%3D0%26isplcurate%3D0%26imageurl%3D%26saveQry%3D%26editorial%3D%26t%3D0%26edoptin%3D%26apaid%3D%7B18B189B6-6A83-41BD-8442-2448A6B7E281%7D%26custspecid%3D14369B5F-24B7-4344-B743-D5DE569A1F46%26filters%3D0 Your big toe may point towards your other toes. Credit: DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/89117/view You may have hard or swollen skin. The bunion may look red or darker than the skin around it. Credit: HOUIN/BSIP/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/615340/view You may also have pain along the side or bottom of your feet. This is usually worse when wearing shoes and walking.

You cannot get rid of bunions or stop them getting worse yourself, but there are things you can do to ease any pain. Do wear wide shoes with a low heel and soft sole hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a tea towel to the bunion for up to 5 minutes at a time try bunion pads (soft pads you put in shoes to stop them rubbing on a bunion) – you can buy these from pharmacies take paracetamol or ibuprofen try to lose weight if you're overweight Don’t do not wear high heels or tight, pointy shoes

If you have bunions, a GP will look at your foot and ask you about your symptoms. They might refer you to a foot specialist (podiatrist). A GP or podiatrist can advise you about: things you can do to ease your symptoms things you can buy or have specially made to reduce bunion pain, such as insoles (orthotics), toe spacers and toe supports (splints) You can also pay to see a foot specialist privately. Find a podiatrist Surgery A GP may refer you for surgery if your bunions are very painful or they're having a big effect on your life. Surgery is not done just to improve how your feet look.

The cause of bunions is not always known, but you may be more likely to get them if you wear shoes that do not fit properly. It might help to: make sure your shoes are the correct size and have enough room for your toes avoid shoes with high heels or pointy toes