Homemade Treatments for Bunions

Common bunions affect the big toes. They are actually bony growths that extend out from the side of the largest toe. Some bunions, called "Tailor's Bunions", extend out the other side of the feet beside or underneath the baby toes. Both types of bunions cause searing pain and discomfort. If you suffer from this foot disorder, then you need to know some homemade treatments for bunions.Bunions are a common foot problem that affect many men and women across the United States. Some experts say bunions are hereditary. However, other experts point at wearing shoes that don't fit right as being a prime culprit. Footwear that doesn't properly support the arches of the feet are also said to cause bunions. Because, without arch supports, the feet slide forward and put pressure on the big toes.
According to research, this foot disorder affects more women than it does men. The results of a survey revealed that almost 90% of the female participants admitted wearing shoes that were a size too small, or were just too narrow for their feet.
The only known cure for bunions at this time is surgery to correct the disorder. However, unless a bunion is causing you more distress and foot pain than you can stand, or, is affecting walking, you can simply use homemade treatments to make it more tolerable.
The first thing you need to do is check the fit of your shoes and boots: are they the right size for your feet? Or, are they actually too small? Put your feet inside, then use your hand to feel the sides of the shoes in the middle. Do the sides feel tight? Or, is there a bit of room between your feet and the shoes? Are the middles of the shoes or boots bulging out? These are classic signs that your footwear is too small for your feet.
Instead of just tossing away snug-fitting shoes and boots, you may be able to use a shoe stretcher on them. Shoe stretchers are easy-to-use, inexpensive gadgets. They can be found at many drug stores and often in healthcare catalogs such as Dr. Leonard's®.
Another common cause of bunions is wearing high-heeled shoes that sport a narrow toe compartment. Not only do your toes slide forward and put pressure on your big toes, but narrow toe boxes do too. If you're plagued with the pain and discomfort of a bunion, try lowering your heel height. Better yet, quit wearing high-heels altogether if at all possible. Choose roomy shoes that give your feet sufficient room to move. And, choose softer soles over hard ones.
You can also purchase a variety of aids such as baby toe splints, bunion pads, shoes insoles, et cetera, from a drug store or a healthcare catalog to help relieve the pain and discomfort of bunions.
Another homemade treatment for bunions is to soak your feet in warm water. Do this for at least ten minutes at a time, as many times a day as you possibly can. Foot baths that have a whirlpool action can also help relieve the pain.
Or, apply clove oil liberally to your bunions and then place a bandage over each one. Clove Oil should be available at your local health store. Or, perform a search on the Internet to obtain a bottle.
You can also treat the pain that bunions cause you with over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol®. Read and follow the label directions and take the correct dosage. Or, consult with your healthcare professional about the dosage he or she recommends.