Restoring My Complexion

4 Step Natural Remedy For Treating Your Bunions At Home

15 December 2014 by Dylan Owens

If you have one or more bunions on your feet, you may decide to try treating them yourself to keep them from becoming worse and requiring surgical removal. Below is a four-step natural remedy regimen that can be done twice a day to alleviate the symptoms and reduce them. All of the supplies can be found in pharmacies, supermarkets, and department stores.

Step 1:  Use An Ice Pack

An ice pack will numb the pain and reduce the amount of blood flowing to the bunion, reducing the inflammation. You can use a commercial ice pack or make one yourself by placing ice cubes in a plastic bag and wrapping it with a terry cloth.

Place the ice pack directly on the bunions for ten minutes. When the time is up, move on to the second step.

Step 2:  Wrap Your Feet With Castor Oil-Soaked Gauze

Castor oil is an anti-inflammatory that will reduce the inflammation around your bunion. The oil will also soften the hard surface that causes your pain and discomfort with every step. You will need a small saucepan, gauze, and plastic wrap for this step.

Pour a quarter of a cup of the castor oil into the pan. Slowly heat it until it is slightly warmer than room temperature, so as not to burn your skin.

Remove the pan from heat and place the gauze in the oil, one for each bunion. Make sure they are fully saturated, then place them directly on your bunions. Then, wrap your feet with the plastic wrap to hold in the moisture and heat.

After 15 minutes, remove the plastic and gauze. Do not rinse the oil off your skin. Instead, go on to the third step.

Step 3:  Soak Your Feet In Warm Water And Epsom Salts

Once the castor oil has softened the bunions, soak your feet in warm water and Epsom salts. The salts will pull out any remaining swelling, as well as kill any bacteria deep within the pores of your feet. This will keep them from becoming infected.

In a pan large enough to place your feet, pour three cups of warm water and a cup of Epsom salts. Soak your feet for 15 minutes. When the time is up, remove and pat them dry with a soft, clean towel. 

After allowing your feet to air dry for five minutes, go on to the fourth step.

Step 4:  Rub Your Foot With Red Pepper Skins

Red pepper skins contain capsaicin, a powerful, natural anti-inflammatory. When the skins are rubbed onto the bunions, they will provide you will several hours of relief from the pain and swelling.

For this step, you should use a pair of gloves to keep the juices off of your fingers. This will prevent you from getting it into your eyes or mouth where it can irritate the delicate membranes. Also, if you are sensitive to capsaicin, soak the skins in warm water for ten minutes to reduce the effects.

After putting on your gloves, pick up one of the skins and rub it on the bunion for a minute. Try not to get any of the juices on the skin surrounding it. Once you have treated your bunions, let your feet air dry for 15 minutes before putting on socks to give the treatment time to soak in.

Along with other home treatment options, the above natural remedy regimen can help minimize the size and symptoms of your bunions. However, if they start to become painful and bothersome, you may want to talk to your podiatrist. They can tell you about your treatment options, ranging from prescription medication to foot surgery at a place like Animas Foot & Ankle to remove the bunions.

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