Bunions Aren’t Just an Aesthetic Thing: MD Podiatrist

“A bunion develops because of a pressure imbalance in your foot, which makes your toe joint unstable,” explains Dan Michaels, DPM. “The bones of your big toe begin to shift and angle toward your second toe. Constant pressure causes the head of your metatarsal (the bone at the base of your toe) to become irritated, and it gradually enlarges, forming a bump.” 
 
Bunions aren’t just an aesthetic thing; they can also be uncomfortable and even super painful. “You may experience pain, swelling, and redness around the affected joint,” says Dr. Michaels. “The skin may thicken and become callused, and your big toe may angle inward, which can bully the lesser toes, affecting them as well. The big toe may even overlap or tuck under your other toes, resulting in corns or calluses.”