A bunion looks like a hard lump on the side of your feet, by your big toe. Your big toe will be pointing towards your other toes. The skin may be hard or swollen and the bunion may look red or darker than the surrounding skin. You may also have pain along the side or bottom of your feet. This is usually worse when wearing shoes and walking. You cannot get rid of bunions or stop them getting worse yourself, but there are things you can do to relieve any pain:

Do:

·       wear wide shoes with a low heel and soft sole

·       hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel) to the bunion for up to 5 minutes at a time

·       try bunion pads (soft pads you put in shoes to stop them rubbing on a bunion) – you can buy these from pharmacies

·       take paracetamol or ibuprofen

·       Try to lose weight if you're overweight

Do not wear high heels or tight, pointy shoes

See a GP if:

·       the pain has not improved after trying home treatments for a few weeks

·       the pain is stopping you doing your normal activities

·       your bunions are getting worse

·       you also have diabetes – foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes

The GP might refer you to a foot specialist (podiatrist) or you can also pay to see a foot specialist privately. A GP may refer you to a surgeon if your bunions are very painful or having a big effect on your life. Surgery is not done just to improve how your feet look…Surgery is the only way to get rid of bunions.

Bunions can only be corrected with surgery. I can offer footwear advice and padding to ease the pain.