You might be surprised by just how simple it is to treat your bunion.

Did you know that bunions are one of the most common causes of foot pain? While experts will argue about whether high heels and tightly fitted shoes are to blame, bunions are caused by a joint misalignment and the shoes you wear can certainly exacerbate your condition. If our Gainesville, VA, podiatrist, Dr. Mukesh Bhakta, has already diagnosed you with a bunion here are some easy solutions for reducing your pain and managing your symptoms.

Conservative Care

Who says that bunion treatment has to be invasive or aggressive? Depending on how advanced your bunion is you may be able to tackle pain and discomfort with these simple measures alone:

Wear the right shoes: You want shoes that not only cushion and support your feet but also are wide enough to give your toes room to move. If your toes are bunched together then your shoes are too tight and will make your bunion worse.

Apply protective padding: Non-medicated moleskin pads can be applied over the bunion to protect it from rubbing against shoes and aggravating it. This padding can also prevent a callus from forming over the bunion.

Consider a night splint: Sometimes it’s a good idea to splint the foot at night so that it is held in the proper alignment as you sleep. This can take pressure off the bunion and reduce pain.

Take medications: If you are looking for another easy way to ease your pain you can also consider taking over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce swelling and discomfort. While medications will only provide temporary relief, they can be helpful on days when your bunion just isn’t cooperating.

Ice the angry joint: If you’ve spent a long day on your feet or your bunion is just a little-upset, try icing it to help alleviate soreness or inflammation. Make sure to always wrap ice packs in a towel and only apply it to the skin for 15-20 minutes at a time.

Surgical Treatment

If you’ve been trying every treatment in the book but nothing seems to be getting your bunion symptoms under control then it might be time to talk to our Gainesville foot doctor about whether surgery is the next step. Surgery shouldn’t be considered unless bunion symptoms are affecting your quality of life or if conservative treatment isn’t working.

Don’t let a bunion dictate what you can and can’t do. If these at-home options aren’t working for you, or if you are dealing with persistent pain, then it’s time you turned to the foot experts at Prince William Foot & Ankle Center in Gainesville, VA.