Small Bunions Hurt When You Wear Boots? Find Relief With These Tips

Posted on: 1 September 2017

If the small bunions on your big toes hurt whenever you wear boots, you need relief fast. Bunions develop when the joints of your great toes shift out of place. Although your bunions are small, they can be quite painful when you wear boots and other types of full cover shoes. In addition, your bunions can increase in size and make your situation worse. You can do several things to ease the pain in your bunions, including these below. 

Soak Your Feet

The joints can make your big toes feel stiff and swollen. If you try to move your toes, they can hurt. Soaking your feet in warm water and Epsom salt can help alleviate some of the inflammation in your toes and their joints. Epsom salt is a mineral used for numerous health benefits, including reducing inflammation and infection.

Sources recommend placing 1/2 cups of Epsom salt in about 2 quarts of warm water for the best benefits. If you can tolerate warmer water, you may use it. Also, allow your feet to soak for 10 minutes or so. Repeat the soak as needed.

If you don't have Epsom salt, just use plain warm water. Unless a podiatrist recommends it, try to avoid using regular table salt. Table salt may be too harsh on your skin.  

After complete your soak, hydrate the skin on your feet and toes.

Keep Your Toes Hydrated

Bunions can irritate the skin on your toes and feet. Moisturizing your skin with coconut oil can help alleviate some of the irritation. Although coconut oil has many health benefits, it won't make your bunions go away or heal them. So keep this in mind when you use the oil.

When you apply the coconut oil to your foot and toe skin, use gentle strokes. You don't want to place too much stress on your big toes' joints, or else you may irritate them even further. Allow the oil to dry into your skin, then cover your feet with soft socks or slippers. 

If your bunions continue to hurt, see a foot care specialist or podiatrist at facilities like Collier Podiatry PA. A podiatrist will generally ask you to wear footwear with wide or open toe boxes. Wider toes boxes allow your toes to breathe and won't place pressure on your bunions.

If your bunions increase in size, a podiatrist may remove them with surgery. A surgeon can make a small incision in each joint and manually realign them, or the surgeon will remove the bunions completely. A podiatrist will discuss the best technique for your bunions when they examine you.

To learn more about the bunions on your toes, contact a foot doctor for additional information.

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