Home Remedies for Bunions

A bunion is a bone growth on the side and bottom of the big toe.   This is of the weight of the body and unequally balanced weight over the joints and tendons of the feet.  This can be addressed with good and effective home remedies for bunions.

Men and women both can develop bunions on their feet.   Women are more prone to have bunions as they wear high heels and tight and narrow shoes.   One other main reason for bunion development is hereditary, deformities at birth and injuries.

The symptoms of a bunion are excessive in pain big toe joints, less flexibility to walk freely, and skin irritation in the affected area. Sometimes around the bunion skin irritation, redness, calluses or corns, and blisters can be noticed. These make the difficult to find shoes that fit properly.

If neglected the bunions can become worse over time. At times natural home remedies or other treatments may be not good enough to correct the real deformity. In the worst cases, surgery might be the only solution.

Effective Home Remedies For Bunions

1. Ice

Usually, the bunions become very reddish, painful, and sore if you are on your feet for a long period of time. Ice therapy is a very good option to relieve this discomfort. It temporarily suppresses the nerve to become numb and relieves the pain.

Wrap crushed ice in a clean thin towel and place for ten minutes over the bunions. Repeat this process three times a day.   This is a simple home remedy for a bunion and can be practiced by anyone at any time.

2. Massage

Massage is a good home remedy for bunions.   It helps good blood circulation in the affected area and gives great relief from discomfort.  If done regularly it reduces the size of the bunions and makes the affected area less gullible to calluses or corns.

Always remember that massage should be done with good care.

Coconut oil, castor oil, or olive oil can be used for massaging. Do it for about ten minutes. This can be repeated twice or thrice a day.   A massage expert’s advice or assistance is advisable to reverse the bunion development.

3. Foot Exercises

Foot exercises can reduce pain and give flexibility to the toes. In many cases, it can slow down the bunion from getting bigger and can prevent surgery.  Exercising daily strengthens the legs and feet muscles which suppress the development of a bunion.

• Sit comfortably on a chair. Place your feet over the golf or tennis ball and roll it on the soles of your feet. You will feel the discomfort of the bunion disappearing. Do this exercise for ten minutes on a daily basis.
• Sitting on a chair, hold the sole of the foot with your palm. Interlace the fingers of your other hand between your toes. Bend the toes gently upwards and downwards. Repeat for about ten minutes.
• In a standing position, point your toes in front and curl them.   Hold this position for ten seconds and release it. Repeat this seven times or at your comfort level.

4. Epsom Salt

Using soaked Epsom salt can reduce the pain of a bunion. Epsom salt contains a high content of magnesium which helps in maintaining the pH levels in the body.

It helps to fight pain aggravation. The Epsom salt controls the growth of corns and calluses which are very common with bunions.

Add a handful of Epsom salt to the warm water in the tub and stir well.  Dip your feet in the warm water for about fifteen minutes.  Dry the feet and apply olive oil or coconut oil.

Massage gently over the bunion. This remedy can be done three times a day.

5. Turmeric

Turmeric has the properties to cure bunions.   Good as an external application and to consume orally.  Turmeric has the ability to relieve pain caused by bunions.

Make a paste with ½ teaspoon full of turmeric powder and olive oil. Apply the paste directly on the bunion three times a day until you find relief.

To have orally added 1 tsp of a teaspoon full of turmeric powder in tepid milk. Drink it in the morning and in the evening.

See here for more details on the health benefits of turmeric

6. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile Tea herb is well-known to get relief from bunions. It has anti-inflammatory properties.  It reduces the pain, irritation, and size of the bunions.

Brew a Chamomile tea bag in a warm cup of water. Place the teabag after removing the excess water from the affected area. This will help to relieve pain and cure bunions.   Drink a cup of chamomile tea twice a day.