How to Manage Bunions

Intro: Remember those great pointy heels of the early 1990's? They looked wonderful on my big, fat feet even though by the end of the day, I could hardly walk. Looking back fifteen years later, I realize that my struggle with bunions began at that time when I would stuff my wide foot into narrow shoes. Of course, it doesn't help that almost everyone in my family has bunions as well.

Over the years, I have learned how to manage my bunions after an especially painful inflammation one time. The pain was so severe, I was convinced that I had sleep walked and broken my foot while sleeping. I was shocked to find out that it was a bunion inflammation brought on by wearing very tight, strappy sandals the day before which killed my feet all day - but looked so cute!

This article will give you some great advice on how to manage a life with bunions. I hope this article helps you to avoid the agony these small swollen joints can bring and offer you some relief.

Step 1: Unfortunately, bunions are hereditary and plague many people in a family. You may remember your parents complaining of achy feet or toes but in your youth, you may not have realized that you might get them, as well. Since you can't do anything to stop heredity, you should look at the remedies to the symptoms and be proactive in managing your bunions. Hopefully, your proactive protection of your feet will allow your feet to not experience the pain associated with bunions.

Step 2: The most important thing you can do to help your feet is to make sure that you wear shoes that really fit your feet. You may not be going along with the latest fad of narrow shoes, boots or strappy sandals. Wear shoes/boots that have a wide toe area. Boxy toes are great for wiggle room and will reduce the pressure applied to the bunions. If you want to wear strappy sandals, just wear them so that the straps do not lay over the bunions. It is the pressure from the shoe that irritates it.

Step 3: If you do wind up with an irritated bunion, you will definitely know it! You will hardly be able to walk on your foot. To get through this pain, take an anti-inflammatory like Advil or Motrin several times a day, wear tennis shoes or other shoes which do not place any pressure on the bunion, ice your foot and have someone massage your foot gently with lotion. It takes about a week to get through a severe inflammation.

I hope this article helps you avoid the awful pain caused by bunions. Best of luck!

Tips: Gently massage the joint on the big toe in a circular motion to relax.

Warnings: Don't wear shoes that bind your feet across the toes and joints.

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