Bunions: The Right Shoes Can Make the Difference

Bunions are a painful condition that, if left untreated (whether at home or by a doctor), can become so severe it will make walking even short distances difficult. And, cosmetically, bunions can aversely affect the way your feet look.

How do you know you have bunions? Well, there will be a bony bump on the joint at the base of your big toe. Your big toe joint might also be red, swollen, or sore. And, if your big toe and second toe now overlap, that might also be a sign that you have bunions.

There are many things that can cause bunions, or make you more prone to getting bunions. Like:

* Heredity.
* Foot injuries.
* Flatfeet.
* Certain ailments, like arthritis.
* Activities or occupations that place regular stress and pressure on your feet.

But one of the most common causes of bunions is wearing footwear that is too tight and ill-fitting.

Bunions Benefit from Well-Fitting Shoes

Wearing shoes that fit properly can make all the difference when you have bunions.

When your toes are cramped inside your shoes, it puts pressure on your toe joints that could cause or aggravate bunions. Avoid shoes with pointy toes, because they will cram your toes together. Instead, choose shoes with a round or square toe, that give you plenty of toe room.

When you put on a pair of shoes (new or old) press down on the toe area with your thumb. If you can't feel at least half-an-inch space between your longest toe and the front of your shoe, you shouldn't buy or wear those shoes, especially if you already have bunions.

Finding shoes that won't cause or aggravate your bunions might mean going up a shoe size. But a bigger shoe size is better than the pain caused by bunions.

High Heels and Bunions

More women have bunions than men. Why? Because of the types of shoes women wear. Particularly, high heels.

When your toes are crammed together, this can aggravate or even cause bunions. And, when you're wearing high heel shoes, gravity causes your toes to be pushed down into the toe of the shoe. If you already have bunions, this can aggravate them. If you don't have bunions, the pressure wearing high heels regularly puts on your joints can cause them.

So, avoid high heel shoes in favor of flats, especially for daily use. If you must wear high heels for a special occasion, choose a shoe with no more than a 1 ½ inch heel.

Running and Walking Shoes are Easy on Bunions

If you have bunions, invest in a pair of good running or walking shoes. Wearing comfortable shoes when you're going to be spending a lot of time on your feet (like when you're at work, at school, or shopping) will help prevent a lot of the pain and discomfort bunions can cause.

Lose the Shoes

You've probably heard that going barefoot as often as possible is good for your feet. And it's true, especially if you have bunions. When you have bunions, sometimes even the most comfortable, well-fitting shoes can be too much for your aching feet.

So, whenever you have the opportunity to go without shoes, take it. Or, in situations where you can't go bare, you can wear flip-flops or sandals, which won't put undue pressure on your toes or aggravate your bunions.

The right shoes can help to relieve the pain of bunions you already have. And, if you don't suffer from bunions yet, the right footwear can decrease your chances of ever getting them.