Foot Bunion: Who Gets It And Why?

HealthXchange will NEVER ask you to transfer money over a call. If in doubt, call the 24/7 ScamShield helpline at 1799, or visit the ScamShield website at www.scamshield.gov.sg.

• Arabic
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Hindi
• Chinese (Simplified)
• English
• Indonesian

Non-English translations are machine-generated; verify independently for potential inaccuracies. Visit www.singhealth.com.sg How to Prevent & Manage Food, Diet & Fitness Life Stages Back to All Menu Options How to Prevent

• Stroke
• Heart Attack
• Fatty Liver
• Back Pain
• Gastroenteritis (Food Poisoning)

View All How to Manage

• Gout
• Osteoarthritis
• Cancer
• Dementia
• Glaucoma

View All Cancer Cholesterol High Blood Pressure Food & Diet

• Food Tips
• Recipes
• Weight Loss
• Vitamins

View All Fitness & Exercise

• Exercise Tips
• Workouts
• Exercise Heroes

View All Pregnancy

• Pre-Pregnancy
• During Pregnancy
• Postnatal
• Special Needs

View All Teen Health

• Mental Health
• Weight Loss
• Skin Health

View All Baby Health

• Baby Development Milestones
• Common Baby Conditions
• Baby Raising Tips

View All Adult Health

• Gynaecological Conditions
• Sexual Health
• Wellness

View All Children Health

• Childhood Conditions
• Parenting Tips
• Special Needs

View All Aging Well

• Ageing Concerns
• Caregiver Tips
• Healthy Ageing

View All Let us help you find what you're looking for. Popular Searches Stroke High Blood Pressure Colorectal Cancer Breast Cancer

• How to Prevent & Manage
• Food, Diet & Fitness
• Life Stages

Visit www.singhealth.com.sg HealthXchange How to Prevent & Manage Foot Bunion: Who Gets It and Why? Foot Bunion: Who Gets It and Why? What causes bunions?

• What causes bunions?
• What can I do for my bunion?

What causes bunions? What can I do for my bunion?

​Silicone bunion shields can help relieve big toe joint pain.

​The Podiatry Department at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group, shares what are the common causes of bunions and what can be done to manage the condition.

A bunion, or hallux valgus, is a foot deformity involving the bone and joint of the big toe. The big toe drifts towards the second toe, and the two toes may even overlap. The bone of the big toe protrudes due to worsening joint misalignment, making the forefoot appear wider.

The bunion won’t go away on its own; it can only worsen with age. A mild bunion may not be painful initially, but it can eventually lead to big toe joint pain and difficulty with shoe fit.

What causes bunions?

People of all ages, ethnicities, and fitness levels can get bunions. However, it is more commonly found in women and in older individuals. Bunions are acquired deformities, but can also run in families.

Bunion sufferers can be divided into two broad categories. One is people with bunions caused by another medical condition such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, or neuromuscular disease. The other is people with bunions caused by poor foot function, such as collapsed arches or flat feet. This latter group of people is often otherwise healthy and active.

Prolonged wearing of ill-fitting shoes, such as shoes with a narrow, pointed toe box, does not cause bunions per se, but it does increase the risk of developing a bunion in individuals already prone to them.

What can I do for my bunion?

If bunions are noticed and correctly treated early, such as during childhood, the deformity can be slowed or stopped. Preventative bunion care includes footwear with a supportive instep and roomy toebox, possibly with the addition of orthotic shoe inserts. Avoid regular use of tight-fitting shoes, especially high-heel and narrow-toed shoes. Also, avoid activities which require improper shoe fit and toe pressure, such as ballet. In short, preventative care often calls for a lifestyle change where one’s feet are concerned.

Palliative self-treatment includes rest, cold pack application, and use of silicone bunion shields available at orthopaedic shoe stores or large retail pharmacies.  These can relieve bunion pain, but will not correct the underlying problem.

For an adult who already has a bunion, use of wide-toebox supportive shoes will not reverse the deformity. However, it can help relieve irritation and pain arising from the bunion.

Also, check out our article on bunion keyhole surgery.

Ref: R14

Contributed by

Podiatry Department

Related Articles

Management ​Happy Feet: Advice on Foot care Management ​​How To Treat Foot Bunions Management ​Bunion Treatment: Keyhole Surgery for Quicker Recovery

Public Events

19 Feb 2026 Talks Health Talk: Fall Prevention @ SHP-Eunos ​Free, no registration required. Please walk in to clinic at specified date and time. Learn More 24 Feb 2026 Talks Health Talk: Chronic Kidney Disease @ SHP-Outram ​Free, no registration required. Please walk in to clinic at specified date and time. Learn More 24 Feb 2026 Talks Health Talk: Fall Prevention @ SHP-Tampines ​Free, no registration required. Please walk in to clinic at specified date and time. Learn More 24 Feb 2026 Talks Health Talk: Fall Prevention @ SHP-Tampines North ​Free, no registration required. Please walk in to clinic at specified date and time. Learn More Tags Foot Bunions Management Foot Care

Stay Healthy the Easy Way

Get trusted health advice, offers and more.

Sign up today!

Please provide a valid email address.

About Us

FAQs

Contact Us

Events

Sitemap

Privacy Policy

Get the Health Buddy App

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Explore it on App Gallery

Follow HealthXchange

© 2025 SingHealth Group. All Rights Reserved.

Terms and Conditions

PDPA

Disclaimer

Report Vulnerability

Back to top