Although surgery is the only way to fix a bunion, it may not be the best treatment option for you if you can sufficiently reduce your deformity’s pain and pressure through other means. We like to think about bunion treatment as a three-stage process; we recommend starting with the first and only moving to the next when your current strategies aren’t providing enough relief. Stage One: Home Care If your bunion is small and only causing occasional pain, you can usually manage it with simple at-home care. The most critical component of treatment at this stage is footwear. Avoid high heels or narrow shoes, and instead stick with roomy, comfy shoes with a complete toe box and low heels. Other steps to help minimize bunion pain at this stage include: • Buy over-the-counter moleskin pads and place them on your bunions in the morning, before you put on your shoes. • Soak your feet in warm water (along with some Epsom salt) at the end of a long day. • Maintain a healthy body weight—more pounds equal more pressure on the feet.