Bunions develop when the bones or tissue in the joint of the big toe move out of place. This often occurs to those whose spend long hours standing on their feet each day, participate in running or jumping sports frequently or wear high heeled shoes on a regular basis. Bunions can also be a hereditary condition.
In the beginning, bunions may not be painful. However, over time, bunions can cause severe pain and discomfort in the feet if left untreated. While having them surgically removed will relieve the symptoms, surgery is not always necessary. These are some nonsurgical treatments for those who suffer with bunions.
Wearing More Comfortable Shoes
For some people, the pain caused by bunions can be greatly relieved by changing the type of shoes they wear. Tight, narrow shoes put pressure on the bunions and this can cause painful flare-ups, causing the bunions to swell.
Wearing shoes that are roomy and wider in the toe area does not put as much pressure on the toes. Therefore, the pain is less and often the swelling reduces as well. Shoes that are low-heeled and have good arch supports also help relieve the pain of bunions.
Over-The-Counter Bunion Products
You can also purchase over-the-counter products that are especially designed for treating bunions. These include bunion pads that provide support for the big toe, moleskin patches that cover the affected areas to prevent uncomfortable rubbing and arch supports that balance the weight of the feet so that less pressure is placed on the big toes.
Medications
Certain ant-inflammatory medications also help relieve pain and reduce the swelling of bunions. These include ibuprofen, acetaminophen and naproxen sodium. These medications are available in both prescription and nonprescription forms.
Other Treatments
The symptoms of bunions may also be relieved by soaking the feet in warm water, applying ice packs to the affected area and using warm compresses directly on and around the big toes.
While bunions can only be removed surgically, using these different treatments can help prevent them from becoming more severe. The less stress that is placed on the big toe area of the foot, the less likely it is that bunions will become larger and cause more pain and discomfort. It is also important to get regular checkups with a foot specialist to ensure your feet are in the best of health. Make sure you enlist the aid of reliable professionals like Elmhurst Podiatry Center Ltd.
Share16 December 2015
I knew that my hearing wasn’t as good as it had once been, but I was still upset when my doctor told me that I had a significant hearing loss in both ears, and that I was going to need hearing aids if I wanted to participate more fully in my day to day life. But then I started researching hearing aids. I was thrilled to find out that there were small, barely visible aids that could help me hear without marking me as hearing impaired on first glance. Even better, the hearing aids were much more advanced than I’d thought. The ones that I chose can actually help cancel out environmental noise, like the clatter of a loud restaurant, so that I can focus on conversation with the waitress or the person across the table. My hearing aids have really improved my life.
