While many people have heard of bunions and understand their treatment options, tailor’s bunions, also known as bunionettes, may raise some questions. Bunions commonly occur under the big toe and are a common ailment. The difference between bunions and tailor’s bunions is their location. Bunions are under the big toe, while tailor’s bunions occur in the joint just under the small toe. These may be harder to treat and are generally smaller than bunions but share a common cause.
What Is A Tailor’s Bunion?
Bunions are growths that can be quite painful and may interfere with a person’s daily activities. In addition, ill-fitting footwear that stresses toes can aggravate the condition and cause the bones of the big toe to move outward.
Tailor’s bunions differ from “normal” bunions in their location. Their name is derived from the history of tailors who would perform their work while sitting cross-legged on the floor. Tailors often developed small bunions on the outside edges of their feet, where the floor pressured the little toe bones to turn unnaturally.
A Tailor’s bunion is easily identified by a bony growth on the outside of the foot, under the pinky toe. You may find that your tailor’s bunions may be inflamed, painful, or red. Wearing shoes may also make this condition worse and cause discomfort when walking.
You can avoid tailor’s bunions by wearing shoes that fit correctly. However, untreated bunions of any kind can worsen if shoes continue to rub on them. In addition, you may find corns and calluses develop, which could further complicate your foot condition. Therefore, you must seek treatment to inhibit bunion growth and prevent corns and calluses.
How Can I Treat Tailor’s Bunions?
We have provided four treatment methods below if it is too late to prevent tailor’s bunions and you are suffering pain from this condition. These may help ease the tailor’s bunions and prevent further damage and discomfort.
- Relieve the pain by taking ibuprofen or other pain relievers. In addition to pain relief, these medications may help reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Change your shoes, choosing footwear that fits well and has a roomy toe box, so your toes have room to move in your shoes.
- Your podiatrist can prescribe custom orthotics, or you can choose the over-the-counter variety. These foot devices are designed to be inserted into shoes and can help align the foot bones. New orthotics may be painful for a while as your feet adjust to them.
- Wear bunionette pads, which are designed to ease the exact symptoms of tailor’s bunions.
If these at-home treatment options are not effective and your bunions continue to worsen, you should make an appointment with your podiatrist as soon as possible. Cortisone injections may help ease the symptoms, or your foot doctor may prescribe other options to reduce your tailor’s bunions. Best Foot Doctor in NYC has clinics in Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn that specialize in treating stubborn bunions. Our staff can get you the help you need to get back on your feet as soon as possible.