Relieve bunion pain with the help of a foot care specialist

April 13, 2026

What are bunions?

Bunions are bony lumps that develop on the side of the foot. In some patients, these lumps grow, becoming prominent and painful.

What do bunions look like?

Bare-white-foot-on-navy-towel-with-reddened-lump-at-the-base-of-the-big-toe

Most bunions look like this. A hard lump at the base of the big toe. The skin around the bunion may be swollen, hard and rough — and it could appear red or darker than normal.

As it grows, the bunion gradually pushes the big toe outwards, towards the other toes.

Are bunions common?

It’s reported that, globally, 23% of people aged 18-65 and 35% of over-65s have bunions.

Women are more than twice as likely to get bunions as men. Of the 14 million people in the UK who suffer with bunions, 10 million are women.

How do bunions affect daily life?

Bunions can be painful, especially when you’re standing or walking on them. They can also hurt if you’re wearing poorly fitting shoes that don’t support your feet.

The pain can discourage you from doing things you enjoy, like going out, walking, and exercising.

In a survey of UK women with bunions:

  • 76% were embarrassed by their feet
  • 56% found it hard to find shoes that are comfortable and fashionable
  • 90% said they’d taken flat shoes out with them to change into.

What causes bunions?

Bunions are often blamed on tight, narrow footwear, but this isn’t the only cause

In some cases, bunions are hereditary and caused by genetics. And you might be more prone to bunions if you have a flatter foot.

Longer term conditions, such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis and MS can also increase your risk of developing bunions, as they impact the way you walk.

If you have a bunion, your podiatrist won’t be looking to blame or judge you for it. Their priority will be helping to relieve bunion pain, making you more comfortable, and giving you options for treatment if it’s appropriate.

How are bunions diagnosed?

Bunions are usually diagnosed by a podiatrist in a physical examination. If any further tests are needed, your podiatrist will discuss those with you.

Do bunions get worse over time?

Bunions can get bigger and more painful over time.

The best way to manage them is to seek early treatment and follow your podiatrist’s advice.

What does bunion pain feel like?

Bunion pain is described as a soreness, ache or burning pain from the joint at the base of the big toe. The pain may be accompanied by swelling, redness or warmth. The toe may also feel stiff, making it painful to move, stand or walk for longer periods.

What causes bunion pain?

The joint at the base of the big toe might be visibly swollen and protruding. The enlarged joint is a result of alignment changes. The big toe, which is usually aligned with the centre of the body, starts to push outwards towards the second toe. The change in alignment can also cause corns or calluses, which add to the pain.

How bunions are treated

Surgery is the only way to correct bunions, but there are a number of non-surgical options to relieve bunion pain and prevent them getting bigger.

Here are some of the options that might be available to you.

Bunion surgery

Surgery might be the best option if you have a bunion that’s:

  • Causing you considerable pain
  • Significantly limiting your daily life
  • Stopping you from walking properly
  • Preventing you from buying well-fitting shoes.

According to Bupa, there are more than 100 different kinds of bunion surgery. The best option for you will depend on the size of your bunion, your lifestyle, and your general health.

But, like all surgeries, bunion surgery carries risks and many people prefer to seek advice on how to manage their bunions themselves.

Choose the best footwear for bunions

If you have a bunion, choose footwear with a wider and deeper toe box that will accommodate the enlarged joint or changed alignment. Look for a thicker, cushioned sole that will be more supportive and, ideally, a soft lining that won’t irritate your feet.

Suitable brands include:

If you need more guidance, your foot care specialist will be happy to advise you.

Exercise your feet

Exercising your feet will help to build muscle strength and relieve pain when walking.

Foot care specialists can advise you on the exercises you need to do and show you the correct technique.

Consider wearables to prevent rubbing

There are a couple of wearable options that could make a difference: bunion pads, which offer additional support to prevent the bunion from rubbing against your shoes. And toe supports, which prevent your big toe from rubbing against your other toes.

These are both good short-term measures for avoiding soreness and discomfort. If you need more long-term relief, a specialist podiatrist or gait assessment specialist can help. They’ll be able to provide bespoke orthoses (shoe inserts), padding, or splints to support the joint.

Pain relief

If you need occasional pain relief, use over-the-counter medications, like ibuprofen.

You can relieve sporadic pain by wrapping ice in a towel and holding it against the joint.

Resting the joint when it becomes painful can also help.

Have regular podiatrist appointments

Your podiatrist will be able to check your feet for changes, remove any painful hard skin and give additional advice, if you need it.

Book a podiatry appointment at Hatt Clinic

If you think you might have a bunion, our podiatrists will give you a professional diagnosis. They’ll give you the support you need to relieve bunion pain and manage the condition, or refer you for surgery if necessary.

If you have a bunion, but feel too embarrassed to see a podiatrist, this article should give you the reassurance to book an appointment.

We offer podiatry at all three of our clinics, in Devizes, Frome and Marlborough.

To book an appointment online, visit our online booking page and select initial chiropody/podiatry from the menu.

Alternatively, you can email us at: enquiries@hattclinic.co.uk

Or call your nearest clinic:

Devizes: 01380 730473

Frome: 01672 516580

Marlborough: 01373 452604

Related blogs