Bunions A bunion commonly looks like a swollen red lump that can appear on the side of the big toe.
It can take the form of a pointed bulge that is caused by the big toe pushing against the second toe and forcing the metatarsal bone away from the foot.
Over time the affected area swells and becomes very painful.
The bunion is a common foot problem for women.
This is largely due to the footwear they use with the main culprit being high heel shoes.
There are a number of ways to treat bunions.
If you have one the best way is to consult with your doctor as they will be more qualified to prescribe the best course of action to remedy the condition.
If it is a chronic condition your doctor may refer you to a foot specialist such as a podiatrist for more specialised treatment.
There are a number of foot care products on the market that you can buy from your local chemist or drug store to help relieve the pain of bunions.
These include specially designed foot inserts that are padded to protect and ease the discomfort by taking the pressure away from the swollen area around the big toe.
Other treatments can include ice packs to reduce swelling or anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the pain.
If the bunion is severe then surgery may need to be considered.
New innovations in bunion removal surgery such as the Scarf method enables patients to go through a surgery procedure with increased recovery times.
This makes surgery a more appealing option than it was in the past when recovery times could take many months.
Plantar Fasciitis The symptoms of plantar fasciitis are usually a throbbing or stabbing type of pain that can be felt around or underneath the heal of the foot.
The pain can intensify when pressure is put on the affected area.
This condition is caused by either an inflammation or a tearing of the band of tissue that is connected and runs from the toes to the end of the heel area.
This area of tissue is known as plantar fascia.
Many people who are carrying too much weight or have a collapsed foot arch can experience pain and discomfort in this area.
There are a few treatments for plantar fasciitis however, if it is caused by being overweight, the first thing to do is to lose weight to take the extra strain away from your feet.
The pain can also be relieved by using shoe supports such as insoles.
If the pain is persistent then it is best to consult with your local doctor for more advice.
Further treatment could involve anti-inflammatory injections or foot massage such as physiotherapy to help relax the tissue and neighbouring tendons.