Bunions are a common foot problem in the United States, affecting over 64 million people. A bunion is a bony bump that sticks out on the joint at the base of your big toe. It occurs when some of the bones in your foot move out of position. While anyone can have bunions, women are more likely to develop this foot problem due to wearing high-heeled shoes. Fortunately, there are several tips Marque A. Allen DPM, FACFAS recommends to prevent bunions or keep them from worsening. They include:
Wear proper shoes
Wearing the proper footwear is one of the most important things you can do to prevent bunions from forming or worsening. The best shoes are a little loose on your foot and have enough room for your toes. Tight-fitting shoes put an uneven amount of pressure on your feet and cause your toes to rub; this majorly contributes to bunion formation. When shopping for footwear, choose shoes that offer instant comfort. You should be able to slip your feet into a pair of shoes without feeling any pinching or rubbing. Avoid purchasing shoes that are too small, since they put stress on your feet. They may expand after wearing them for a while but still may not be the ideal fit. Your shoes should feel sturdy and comfortable; comfort should be a priority when selecting shoes.
Limit how often you wear high heels
High heels put pressure on your toes, especially the big toe joint, making it more likely for you to develop bunions. If you can, trade your heels for supportive flats. But if you are not quite willing to stop wearing high heels, consider trading them for those flats for a few days a week. When buying heels, keep the height below two inches to minimize pressure. Wedges or block heels are good at distributing the weight, so you can look at adding them to your closet.
Stay at a healthy weight
Your body weight puts pressure on your feet each time you take a step. If you are overweight, you subject your big toe joint and foot to excess pressure. The more you weigh, the more pressure and the higher the chance of developing a bunion. For this reason, you should lose extra pounds and stay within your ideal weight to avoid this foot problem. Exercise and diet are proven weight loss methods you may consider to stay healthy. Besides preventing bunions, staying within your ideal weight lowers your risk of severe conditions like type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
Rest your feet
Our feet tend to do the most work; therefore, they deserve an equal amount of relaxation. After standing for a while, get off your feet for some time to ease the tension and pressure. If you can, switch to sandals for a few minutes throughout the day to give your feet room to breathe. That applies even if you wear perfect bunion-preventing shoes; your feet will still be thankful.
Whether you are preventing bunions from forming or keeping them from worsening, a good pair of shoes is one of the best places to start. But if you already have pain around your big toe joint, visit your doctor at Marque A. Allen, DPM, FACFAS, to get an official diagnosis and treatment plan.
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