8 Effective Home Remedies for Bunion Relief

Are you dealing with bunions? Check out these bunion relief home remedies.

A lot of people are dealing with painful bunions and are interested in whether surgery can solve the issue. The answer is yes, but for a short while because they can reappear after a certain time. But before rushing to the surgeon, it’s good to know that there are a couple of home remedies for bunion relief approved by doctors.

We’ll assist you in understanding the reasons for bunions, several at-home remedies, and when it’s time to consult a physician. Continue reading to find out about these remedies and how you can do them on your own. But first, let’s see what causes bunions:

What are bunions and what causes them?

A bunion is a little lump at the side of the foot where the big toe joint meets the foot. A bony lump can develop in your foot if the bones and muscles are misaligned. Up to one-third of Americans suffer from bunions, so you’re not alone if you suspect you may have one.

Based on the structure of the foot, experts claim that bunions are typically hereditary. Additionally, it’s thought that wearing shoes that are too small or tight may put pressure on your joints, causing your feet to adjust to the new space. Furthermore, working in an environment where you must stand for longer than four hours five days a week may cause excruciating bunions.

On a sad note, bunions can’t be reversed and will never go away on their own. Once it starts developing, it will continue to grow bigger and bigger. But with the help of these home remedies for bunion relief, you may be able to make them less painful.

Give your feet both exercise and rest

You’re probably tired of hearing about this, but there is no way out, and physical exercise for at least 30 minutes a day is crucial for a healthy life. Walking, doing some simple bodyweight exercises, or simply practicing yoga is a great way to move your feet and make them stronger. There are a couple of exercises recommended by doctors that can help. Marble pick-ups and toe curls are among the best types.

However, it’s also critical to understand that, when it comes to managing your bunion pain, rest is just as crucial as exercise. To fix the issue, you might need to change certain activities and give your foot pauses as often as you need them.

Go as active as you can without getting hurt so that your feet get the relaxation and activity they require. If they hurt pretty badly it may be efficient to engage in activities like swimming that relieve strain on them.

Manage your body weight

One of the best methods for bunion relief is to be mindful of your body weight. Since your feet bear a lot of weight and work hard throughout the day, being overweight can add extra strain on them. By having an optimal body weight, you can easily reduce this pressure and make sure your feet will be happy too.

Use bunion pads

If you are dealing with big bunions, it is also most probably that most shoes will feel uncomfortable when you walk long distances. That’s why it’s recommended to use gel-filled bunion pads available at any drugstore. The pads will protect your feet from rubbing against the shoe and make it more comfortable.

When utilizing the pads, be careful and give them a brief test first. Walk around your neighborhood for a short while and see how they feel inside the shoe. Larger pads may put more pressure on the bump, increasing your discomfort even more.

Try hot and cold therapy

Among the best bunion relief remedies, hot and cold therapies work wonders. Treating your bunion with the appropriate combination of heat and cold therapy may be quite calming if it’s swollen or very painful.

Blood vessels are constricted by cold treatments, which reduce edema. Consequently, you can lessen the irritation by soaking your bunion in cold water. If friction from a bunion irritates your toes or other parts of your foot, a cold bath could help.

Hot therapy helps improve blood circulation and relax the area. Soak your affected feet in warm water or as hot as you can handle it to soothe the cramps.

Apply ice packs

In case you don’t want to get your feet wet or you’re in a hurry, apply ice packs to your bunion. Put the ice in a towel and hold it on the bunion for 15-20 minutes to soothe the inflammation and pain.

However, if you have issues with blood circulation, it’s better to ask your doctor if it’s ok for you to try out this home remedy.

Take certain medicines for short-term pain relief

Swelling at the big toe joint is one of the most typical signs of bunions. Your body’s normal reaction to an injury is inflammation. Ibuprofen is one of them, which can help reduce swelling and pain, and they take effect within an hour, so you can get fast relief from bunion discomfort. Keep in mind that this is an NSAID and it isn’t recommended for long treatment, so if the pain becomes unbearable it’s advised to talk to your doctor.

Use splints and braces while you sleep

To keep your toe straight and avoid joint hardening, wear a splint at night. Additionally, bunions’ related pain and irritation may be lessened by wearing splints. Talk to your podiatrist before using splints just to be sure, but in most cases, they are highly recommended, especially for those who don’t want to get surgery and try to do what they can with home remedies to soothe the pain and have a healthy foot.

Invest in a good quality pair of shoes

Bunions are by default painful and not great to look at, so why would you want to wear a pair of shoes that don’t fit you or, worse, cause even more pain when you walk in them? If you have this condition, the best type of shoes are wider, especially in the upper area. Make sure when you try them out in the store to feel that your toes have enough space and they’re comfortable. Avoid buying a pair that keeps your toes tight. Look for shoes that have a cushion on the back and middle.

Shoes that also have a thin heel can make the pain worse. However, since every shoe brand crafts them differently, it’s better if you try out as many pairs as possible to see which one fits better around the bunion.

All these home remedies are very helpful, but in the long term, if you don’t want to go and operate it, you should also look for a Bunion Corrector. There is a plethora of items available both on Amazon and in local drug stores. The difference is that on Amazon they might be slightly cheaper. Check out this one from Tenicore, available at the price of $19.99. 

Why do we recommend this one? It has a comfortable material, which lets the skin breathe without feeling stuffy and sweaty even in summer. The recommended duration of use of this product is around 1-2 hours per day. 

Looking for other healthy remedies? You’re in the right place. Check out how to Relieve Swollen Feet Easily!