Vault

Max value reached

Adding this item would put you over your total vault limit of $250. please review your cart to stay under the limit.

The B Word We Never Talk About – Until Now

16 July, 2015 - 08:59pm by - First Lady | 23 Comments

Article by BR Kellie

One of the Beauty Review Crew members confessed something to me the other day. They confided in me that they have a certain foot ailment (and I’m sworn to secrecy as to who it is, that secret is going to the grave). So embarrassed were they about this foot ailment that they also admitted to lying to people about it. When questioned they told the curious cats that it wasn’t what they thought it was, that it was in fact the early stages of the growth of two sixth toes… 

What the heck am I going on about? What the heck are they going on about? It’s the B word.  

Bunion. Not to confused with a Bunyip. Though both can appear quite monstrous.

Bunions come in different shapes and sizes. Our beloved BR member has Tailor’s Bunion, which isn’t strictly a bunion, but is similar to a bunion (I hope that fact makes them feel better – you’re kind of bunion-free sweetpea!). Basically a Tailor’s bunion is a growth at the base of the little toe. How does it differ from a regular bunion? Well, that’s a growth sticking out by your big toe. And if I were to be honest, a regular bunion is a lot less attractive than a Tailor’s.

So how do we get ourselves a pair of bunions … or more importantly, how do we not?

There’s a fair bit of ‘are you sure?’ in the medical community about why bunions are formed, and who is likely to get them. They know a bunion occurs when the big toe is forced to turn inwards more than it should over a period of time, causing an enlargement at the base of the toe. But why do they occur? Some people suggest it’s hereditary, others believe it’s due to a long term use of shoes – most notably the tightfitting, pointed, and high-heeled kind, which is why women are more prone to getting bunions than men.

So how do you know if you’re developing bunions? Apart from noticing a couple of nodules sticking out the side of your foot, like Frankenstein bolts, you’ll feel the burn. Pain when walking, sore joints, redness – it feels about as pretty as it looks. You’re not doomed to walk in agony though, there are options out there – first of all you can change the kind of shoes you wear (could this be a case of Crocs for the win!?). Orthotics can help, as can channeling your inner hippy and going barefoot. Anti-inflammatories can also help in the short term. However if the deformity gets too hideous or the pain too bad, there’s also the option of surgery, and your doctor can talk you through the options available. 

Prevention is as always the way to go if you’re quite keen on remaining bunionless. If you’re not keen on being a barefoot babe, be sure to wear correctly fitting shoes – and it helps if they’re low-heeled and supportive. Suffer from flat-feet? See a podiatrist about getting arch-supporting orthotics. Now if you’re reading this and feeling bad about your bunions, at least know you’re in good company. A Google image search showed some very famous people have them or have had them, including Oprah, Naomi Campbell and even Mrs Beckham. And if she has them, surely that makes them fashionable?

Have you been hiding your bunions? Have you found solutions to keeping the pain at bay? Will you be tossing out your high-heels and embracing nude feet?Get chatting!

back

Comments

Please sign in or register to add a comment.

19th July, 2015

My mum has it extremely bad. She's always in pain but they want do surgery because she's not bed ridden. She's lives a very busy life. Aparently she needs to get to the point of unwalkable to get any chance to be pain free again! I sure as day don't wear tight fitting shoes.

18th July, 2015

Ouch that doesn't sound good. I don't wear high heels, but I used to!

18th July, 2015

OUCH! That sounds like it would be painful! I can't say I have ever had this problem but I certainly know how to prevent it now thanks BR

18th July, 2015

I've had one develop on my right foot, next to my big toe (ahhh a Bunion!) over the last couple of years; it hurts! I took off my shoes one day after work wondering why my side of the foot hurt so much, I took my sock off to rub the area & realism it was a bunion! I couldn't believe it! How on earth did this happen!? I'm guessing the years of heels.... It hurts alright... but I just deal with it... beauty is pain right? And heels are beautiful

18th July, 2015

I have two, they both look different, one is extremely painful and the other doesn't hurt at all. However they both look hideous and I hate them! My mother and two grandparents had them so both sides of the family. I'm not sure if any of my cousins have them, I seem to be the only one to be inflicted. I am going to have surgery as soon as I can arrange to have 2-3 weeks downtime, not going to be fun but I'm sure it will be worth it to be pain free and have nice looking feet again.

18th July, 2015

I have bunions they aren't necessarily unsightly & nor are they noticeable but I do notice them. I believe they're hereditary as my mother has them in a worse state then mine and my Aunty has them, both my mum and aunty have them on top of their toes aswell. My right foot is worse then the left & my father has the slightest bunion aswell, as did his mother. My bunions started presenting themselves when I worked at Heinz-Watties , my work boots were steal toe boots& when presenting this to the Dr he wasn't too sure what the problem was as visible or thst was noticeable was a peculiar arch in my big toe & no bumps or nodules.. It was suggested I wear orthopedic inner soles in my boots xrays were taken and no signs of arthritis were apparent. I was in my young 20s so 10 years ago or more. Now in the recent years wearing heas and court shoes with my uniform the pain came back.. And the raised nodule. The pain is noticeable but tolerable I put it down to work pain lol. For casual uniform I purchase hush puppies and these are comfy. My go to on any day are any 1 of 7 pairs of Nikes lol.. After which I'd water jandals or uggs. I do have some platform type shoes but the toe ends are quite wide or they have sling back which let's my feet expand &the; pain doesn't occur. I really don't think it's a big thing to be anxious over on the visual side but where the pain is I totally understand the concern lol

17th July, 2015

ouch ouch OUCH! the poor BR babe, I have heard how painful they are and I am grateful I don't have them. maybe there is an upside to gumboots.

17th July, 2015

Omg! The things we have happening with our bodies! Sounds like comfortable shoes are the way to go.

17th July, 2015

Oh I have many foot problems but not this particular one. But I feel for anyone with foot problems, they're hard to get rid of and can sometimes make things like walking a challenge.

17th July, 2015

I have a hard time balancing on heels and luckily at 172 cm I'm blessed to not need them in order to stand tall (just better posture). I have a preference for low heels and spend most of my time in slippers or sneakers or tone walkers.

17th July, 2015

I have quite wide feet and try not to wear high heels too much in case I develop bunions, they are too painful a condition to get.

17th July, 2015

I've got bunions on my feet from wearing high heels. I used to wear healed shoes alot but since I've been at home more, not so much.

17th July, 2015

Oh gosh they look incredibly painful! The xray just makes it so much more real! :( I don't have them. I stopped wearing heels and platforms (everyday) years ago as I have super boney feet and hands, my foot would crunch with every step i took and I knew then time to quit them!

17th July, 2015

My workmate has a bunion and she has so much trouble getting shoes that look nice. She suffers a lot and thinks she got hers from wearing high heel pointy shoes. I get soft corns and that is painful enough for me.

17th July, 2015

Sadly I've got them on both feet. Lucky for me there is no pain...yet. I believe it's hereditary. I've had them since I was in primary school I definitely wasn't wearing heels back then! I went to physiotherapy recently. The therapist said it's because of my flat feet, no arch. Having no arch my feet puts pressure on the big toes. Anyway, he gave me so exercises to help strengthen my arch and also calves etc and I definitely think it's helped.

Macs
18th July, 2015

It is sore. Too many dinners out in high heels.

WELCOME TO NZ'S BIGGEST BEAUTY GUIDE!

READ AND WRITE REVIEWS ON YOUR FAVOURITE (or not so favourite!) PRODUCTS!

Sign up to receive our newsletter and stay up to date with all of the latest happenings here at Beauty Review!

You'll be the first to know about Trial Teams, Vault restocks and Giveaways.

We promise never to spam you - only to share the best in NZ beauty!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE MAILING LIST!