There is no way to know for certain whether or not you have a bunion without a doctor’s diagnosis. A podiatrist will give you a thorough medical exam, go over your medical history and, in some cases, take X-rays to determine if that bump on your foot is indeed a bunion burgeoning. Other possibilities to consider include infection, a hairline fracture that causes the foot to swell, gout (a condition that causes uric acid crystals to accumulate in the joint), or arthritis in your feet. That said, if you have a family history of bunions and you notice a bump forming at the base of your big toe, chances are you are developing a bunion. Bunions are, without a doubt, hereditary. They may be exacerbated by stuffing your feet into pointy-nosed pumps, but ill-fitting shoes alone will not cause a bunion to grow. Be on the lookout for these common symptoms: A pronounced bump should develop at the base of your big toe. This bump is actually the enlargement of the joint located near the first metatarsal bone (the metatarsophalangeal joint). In addition to the enlarged joint, a fluid-filled sac (known as a bursa) located next to the joint can become inflamed and cause additional swelling and redness. That brings me to perhaps the most obvious symptom of a bunion: pain. Bunions hurt! The pain is often most pronounced when walking or wearing shoes, and it often dissipates only after you rest your feet or take your shoes off. The skin may be red and tender when touched. In some cases, a deformity known as hallux valgus also forms. This results in your big toe angling towards your little toe so that it becomes out of line with the foot. Sometimes the big toe gets so far off course that the second toe sits on top of the big toe’s toenail. Spotting bunions early is the key to easy and effective treatment. Bunions that go undiagnosed and untreated may progress to a stage where surgery is necessary to correct the deformity. If you think you have a bunion start by throwing out any shoes that pinch or hurt your feet. While shoes don’t cause the bunion, they can make it worse. Your pointy-toed pumps are definitely not worth it. Also check out your local drugstore for orthopedic inserts (Dr. Scholls, etc.). If you want a customized fit, your doctor can prescribe orthotics (special padding for your feet) that will stabilize the underlying structural weakness that leads to bunion formation in the first place.
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