For some people, bunions can be difficult to identify, especially if they've never had one of these joint conditions found on the foot before. In fact, a lot of people find themselves asking doctors whether they might have a bunion whenever they begin to struggle with pain or discomfort around their big toe. If you're concerned that you might be predisposed to bunions, or that you currently have one of your own, it may be helpful to learn everything you need to know about bunions so you know whether to seek medical attention.

Here, we're going to take a closer look at the details behind bunions, and start to cover some of the facts in everything you need to know about bunions, so that you are better prepared to get the treatment that you need.

The Symptoms of Bunions:

One of the first things you should know about bunions is how to spot them. In simple terms, a bunion is a type of bony bump that grows at the joint at the bottom of your big toe. This bump forces the joint in your toe to grow a little bigger, which can force your toe to face inwards, and cause your big toe to push against the rest of your foot. Sometimes, smaller bunions can also be found on the joint of the little toe.

In some cases, the symptoms of bunions are more obvious. For instance, if you have an enlarged lower joint, or your big toe is turning inwards, this is a sure sign that you're suffering from a bunion. However, other signs might be subtler. For instance, the skin around the bunion can begin to turn red or thicken, and calluses or corns might form on the toe with a bunion where the inner and outer toe overlap.

The Causes of Bunions:

When it comes to learning everything you need to know about bunions, it makes sense that you'd want to learn the factors that can cause bunions. There's a significant amount of controversy around what might cause bunions, and a common belief is that wearing badly sized or tight shoes might cause these problems to occur. Although this statement is often contested, it's commonly believed that the wrong footwear can make bunions worse if they already exist. Additionally, some people believe that bunions can be caused by past foot injuries, genetics, and other medical conditions like arthritis.

Learning as much as you can about bunions could help you to understand whether you might have one. In most cases, you will be able to treat a bunion yourself at home. However, eventually, if your bunion becomes a significant problem that prevents you from moving your foot properly, or stops you from finding suitable footwear, you might decide that you need surgery. Surgery can be used to get rid of the additional bone formation that is causing the deformation of the joint in the toe that is afflicted with the bunion, and it's the only way to get rid of this condition, though it may re-occur in the future.