While bunions are a commonly understood foot problem, many people may not have heard of a tailor’s bunion (also called bunionette) before. Unfortunately, many foot problems like tailor’s bunions require changes to improve conditions and reduce pain and inflammation.
If you believe that you may be suffering from tailor’s bunions and the at-home treatments listed below do not improve your condition, it may be time to consult with a podiatrist. If you are located in the NYC area, Best Foot Doctor has a team of podiatrists that are currently accepting new patients.
Please give us a call to schedule an appointment to help you relieve your discomfort and get back to fully healthy feet.
Do I Have A Tailor’s Bunion?
Bunions are protrusions that generally occur on the joints of the feet under the big toe. These growths usually are quite painful and may interfere with daily activities. Ill-fitting footwear squishes the toes and causes the bones of the big toe to move outward.
Tailor’s bunions differ from “normal” bunions because they are located on the outside of the foot, under the pinky toe. The quaint name for this condition comes from historical tailors who traditionally would sit cross-legged on the floor while working. Unfortunately, this would often cause their feet to become uncomfortably pressured and develop bunions on the outside of the foot.
You can identify a tailor’s bunion by checking your feet for a bony growth on the outside of the foot, under the pinky toe. This growth may be inflamed, painful, or red and may cause discomfort when walking, especially when wearing shoes.
Tailor’s bunions are often caused by wearing shoes that do not fit correctly. In addition, if the bunion is left untreated and shoes continue to rub on it, corns and calluses may develop, further complicating the condition. Seek treatment as soon as possible to stop the bunion’s growth and prevent corns and calluses from forming.
How Can I Treat A Tailor’s Bunion?
While prevention is the best way to avoid this condition, you may have already developed a tailor’s bunion. Here are four treatment methods that may help ease tailor’s bunions and prevent further damage and discomfort.
- Change your shoes – wear correctly fitting footwear with a roomy enough toe box, so your toes are not squished together.
- Wear orthotics – whether over-the-counter or custom orthotics, the foot devices can be inserted in your shoes and help align your foot bones. Keep in mind that wearing new orthotics may be painful in the beginning.
- Relieve the pain – taking ibuprofen or other pain relievers can reduce swelling and inflammation as well.
- Wear bunionette pads – these treatments are designed to ease the exact symptoms of tailor’s bunions.
If these treatments are not effective, 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.
Give Best Foot Doctor in NYC a call today to schedule your appointment at our Queens, Manhattan, or Brooklyn clinic.