Can You Get a Pedicure if You Have Bunion Pain? | Nagy Footcare

Can You Get a Pedicure if You Have Bunion Pain?

| September 19th, 2017

Posted In: Bunions

Do you suffer from bunion pain? A bunion is a bump that forms on the outside of your foot at the base of your big toe. When the bump forms on the side of your little toe it is called a bunionette. These unsightly deformities develop gradually when your foot is out of alignment or your toe joint becomes inflamed for some other reason.

Bunions tend to run in families, but can be caused or exacerbated by ill-fitting shoes, trauma to the foot, and certain health issues such as rheumatoid arthritis. If you have a bunion, you may be wondering what you should do or not do in order to prevent it from becoming worse.

How to Treat Your Bunion at Home

See your New Hampshire podiatrist if you have concerns about a bunion. He can determine whether you have other issues causing foot or toe pain, provide you with comprehensive self-care tips, and advise you of other treatment options.

Easy home care tips for bunion pain include wearing properly fitting shoes, avoiding high heels and shoes with a narrow toe box, soaking your foot in Epsom salts, wearing pads or orthotic cushions in your shoes, and treating underlying conditions such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. Foot massages can also be helpful in reducing pain from bunions.

Is it Safe to Get a Pedicure if You Have a Bunion?

The short answer is yes, but a pedicure is not the same as treatment when it comes to bunions. Treatment involves home care activities that relieve your bunion pain and, if the pain persists, a visit to your podiatrist.

It’s important not to ignore your bunion as it can lead to complications including bursitis, hammertoe, and inflammatory pain in the ball of your foot.  An utreated bunion can even reach a point where surgery is necessary.

It’s safe to have a pedicure when you are suffering from bunion pain. In fact, due to the soothing and relaxing nature of pedicures, they can provide relief from pain caused by bunions. Any kind of general foot care is good for your feet, and that includes a hygienic pedicure.

What Happens During a Pedicure?

If you have never had a pedicure you might want to consider getting one, especially if you’re suffering from foot pain caused by a bunion or bunionette. Just make sure your nail specialist works in a clean environment and uses sterilized tools.

First, your feet will be thoroughly cleansed and massaged. Proper foot hygiene prevents infection while massage aids circulation and relaxes your muscles.

Your toenails will be cut properly, meaning short and straight across. Proper cutting prevents ingrown toenails. Your nails will be oiled so the cuticles can be cut or pushed back, then buffed and/or filed. Your nail specialist will work on removing dead skin from your nails, as well as from the bottom of your feet.

Depending on what kind of pedicure you get, you might also get a hot wax wrap or additional massage. A typical pedicure takes approximately 40 minutes, but can take over an hour if you have extra services such as a wax wrap or special nail treatments. Pedicures can be relaxing and good for your feet – even if you have bunions.

When to see Your Podiatrist About a Bunion

If you’ve been managing your bunion on your own but the pain persists, it’s time to call your New Hampshire podiatrist. Conservative self-care does not always get rid of a bunion and you may need minimally invasive surgery to stop the pain and prevent complications.

At Nagy Footcare, we can properly diagnosis the cause of your foot pain and provide you with treatment options that are right for you. We believe you should not have to suffer from bunion pain or other foot problems that interfere with your day-to-day activities. We believe you deserve the right treatment at the right time, and that you should have access to the latest and best treatment options.

If you’re suffering from bunions, contact us today to schedule a consultation. At Nagy Footcare, our best day is the day you wake up with no foot pain.

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