Bunions occur at the base of the large toe and affect the look of the foot. The bunion pushes the big tow toward the other toes on the foot and causes pain. Corns also develop on the feet, and consist of hard layers of skin that form a cone shape, with inflamed skin surrounding the layers. Corns may cause discomfort when pressed and tend to develop in areas of the foot that do not bear weight. Treatment for bunions includes surgical and nonsurgical options; corn treatment includes removing friction over the area.
Shoes
Tight shoes may cause bunions and corns. Shoes that are too narrow cause friction and compress the bones of the foot, causing corns. Distorting the position of the large toe causes the deformity of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, the joint where the big toe joins the foot. Loose shoes can cause corns to form due to the friction of the foot rubbing against the shoe while walking, according to the Mayo Clinic. Women who wear high-heeled shoes increase the risk of developing bunions and corns. Many individuals suffering from a bunion will develop a callus over the bunion because of the additional friction of the shoes rubbing. Wearing properly fitted shoes with a wide toe helps decrease the pain associated with a bunion.
No Socks
Wearing shoes without socks may cause corns on the feet. The socks help absorb possible friction between the foot and shoe. Without the cushion of the sock, the shoe may rub the toes to cause a corn. Socks that do not fit properly do not protect against corns and may end up actually helping to cause the corns.
Heredity
Many individuals who develop bunions have an inherited structure of the foot that causes the condition, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. For feet naturally prone to developing bunions due to an inherited type of foot, wearing the ill-fitted shoes may cause the symptoms of the bunion to begin sooner.
Medical Conditions
Arthritis may cause bunions to occur due to the pain caused by the condition. The arthritis causes cartilage in the joint of the big toe to deteriorate, according to the Mayo Clinic. This deterioration causes pain and a change in the normal position of the foot while walking, which in turn can cause a bunion.
Medical conditions such as diabetes cause an increased risk of developing corns due to the decreased sensation in the skin. The affected individual may not feel the pain or friction associated with the corn.
Occupation
Individuals with specific occupations have an increased risk of developing bunions because of stress placed on the feet. Dancers and cowboys are examples of occupational causes for bunions, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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