A bunion is something that can cause your foot to look deformed — it causes the bone right next to your big toe along the edge of your foot to protrude. Skin on the area that’s sticking out can easily become irritated, too.

For some, a bunion is more of a cosmetic issue. But for others, it can be a source of pain and discomfort. Unfortunately, the only solution for an extreme case of bunion is surgery. The good news is mild to moderate cases can actually be managed at home with a few simple steps.

However, still it is a much better idea for you to keep a bunion from striking in order to save yourself from having to deal with unnecessary deformation of your foot and also associated pain.

So without any more ado, here are some of the things that you may do to keep bunions at bay:

Put on Properly-Fitting Shoes

When shopping for a pair of shoes, no matter if it’s for office use or working out, make sure that it fits properly. Don’t choose style over comfort — what’s the point of being spotted wearing the trendiest footwear if your feet are deformed and achy? Needless to say, throw away shoes that are obviously hostile to your feet.

Minimize Wearing Shoes With High Heels

It’s a fact that there are more women with bunions than men. That’s because a lot of women are fond of putting on high-heeled shoes that can put a lot of strain on the balls of the feet, and this can easily pave the way for the formation of bunions. If you are a woman who is fond of high heels, give your feet a break by wearing flats at times.

Walk Barefoot in Your House

An excellent way to give your feet much-needed break from wearing ill-fitting or high-heeled shoes is by going barefoot each time you’re at home. Not only will this keep your feet from unnecessary work, but also help strengthen both tendons and ligaments in your foot, thus helping to cut your risk of having bunions.

Try Picking Up Objects With Your Feet

Giving your toes a dose of exercise is a good idea if you do not want to face bunions in the future. One of the simplest ways to work out your toes is by attempting to pick small objects with them — crayons, marbles, socks, etc. Exercise your toes while you are watching TV shows or reading a book to keep those pesky bunions at bay.

Use Toe Separators at the End of the Day

It’s a good idea for you to get your hands on toe separators, the ones that are placed in between your toes when you are having your toenails done. After a really long day, sit back and put those toe separators in place for several minutes. Doing this tip helps reinstate proper alignment of your toes.

Apply a Cold Compress

Getting your feet iced is a great way to reduce swelling and tiredness especially after wearing shoes for several hours straight. By putting swelling under control, unnecessary strain on your toes, especially those big ones, can be prevented, thus considerably reducing the odds of you ending up with bunions one day.

Did you know that bunions run in families? If you have relatives with bunions and you are noticing some unusual changes in the shape or appearance of your feet, consider talking with your doctor.