Bunions are not just for grandmothers. Those bony, often painful bumps that form when the bone or tissue at the joint of the big toes moves out of place, can affect both men and women early in life. While genetics can play a part in the equation, those often unsightly protrusions are typically caused — and aggravated by — abnormal pressure on the toes from narrow shoes over time.
A quick fix? In addition to wearing boots and shoes that won’t worsen your bunions (think ones with wide toe boxes and plenty of arch support), there are a range of products you can buy online that will keep bunions in check, and often help prevent them from happening in the first place.
But before determining which over-the-counter remedy will offer the most relief, check in with a podiatrist to make sure you’ve made the right choice.
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Walkhero Insoles
Bunions are often associated with flat feet, so amping up your arch support is a good way to prevent them from worsening. These multipurpose insoles help align the toes to prevent your bunions from worsening, while offering extra cushioning to treat arch and heel pain, and plantar fasciitis.
Yoga Toes Gems Gel Toe Separators
A No. 1 best-seller on Amazon, these gel toe separators are designed to straighten the toes and increase their flexibility for reduced stress on the feet. Wear them for 15 minutes to an hour at a time before you’re ready to leave the house, and customers say you’ll notice instant pain relief.
Alayna Gel Bunion Pads
Friction between the big toe and interior of a shoe is another main cause of bunions. These foot sleeves, which can easily be worn inside your boots, include a cushy gel pad to provide protection and reduce pressure on the big toe.
OrthoSleeve Bunion Relief Socks
Another inconspicuous option, these socks boast a split-toe design to stop toes from overlapping and rubbing against one another — an uncomfortable side effect of bunions. As an added bonus, the pair is super-lightweight and made with moisture-wicking material to keep your feet dry and odor-free.
Chambellan High-Heel Shoe Inserts
High heels have earned a reputation for both causing and aggravating bunions, but if you can’t be without your favorite pair of pointed-toe booties or pumps, try these padded inserts. They help redistribute downward pressure that is normally concentrated at the ball of your foot so your toes don’t slip forward and become compacted near the front of the shoe.
NatraCure Gel Big Toe Bunion Guard
This easy to use guard slips onto the big toe, designed to neutralize friction and absorb shock. They offer an added bonus of being infused with SmartGel, a made in U.S. gel with soothing mineral oil, vitamins, shea butter, and aloe vera. And, they’re also American Podiatric Medical Association accepted.
Dr. Frederick’s Original Nighttime Bunion Splints
Ever think you could continue your bunion relief therapy while sleeping? This bedtime brace provides padding and moderate realignment of the big toe while you sleep, designed to stay in place even if you toss and turn. The ergonomic toe wrap allows for a customized fit, and it’s machine washable.
Bunion Balm Nighttime Moisturizing & Healing Cream
This cream is designed to rejuvenate, restore and moisturize cracked feet with all-natural ingredients such as tea tree oil, peppermint oil, vitamin E, and shea butter, touted for their anti-inflammatory, improved circulation, skin healing, and moisturizing properties.
Spaygyrics Bunion Relief Elixir Natural Roll-on
A homeopathic toxin-free topical treatment that targets the source of pain such as burning, tingling, and numbness often associated with bunions, as a supplement to the use of bunion splints or toe separators, or use it on its own.
All products featured have been independently selected and curated by our editorial team. If you buy something through the links included on our site, FN may earn a commission.
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