While bunions are common, they can cause a variety of other issues with your feet, toes, and toenails and even impact your ankle, other joints, and overall health if left untreated. Technically, a bunion is a type of deformity with your toes, specifically with the joint at the base of your big toe. Put simply, when one of the primary bones in your foot begins to turn outward, and your big toe begins to point inward, toward your other toes, a bunion can begin to form. This is why a bunion appears as a roundish bone jutting out at the side next to your big toe. Since bunions are so common, many people wait until they’re causing noticeable or serious issues before seeking treatment, while some may not seek it at all. Regardless of how developed your bunion is, it’s a good idea to see a specialist before further problems develop.  Once a bunion develops, it can cause further issues, since most shoes don’t accommodate the protruding piece of bone, which then puts pressure on the joint that has been misaligned. This is what can make bunions painful, and that pain can spread to the rest of your foot, ankle, and even further up. The joint where a bunion most commonly occurs is part of a crucial piece of distributing your weight properly during exercise and other regular life activities. If there is too much pressure on this joint, it can cause strain on your other toes, and lead to things like “hammertoes”, which is when your toes curl downward rather than point straight, or corns (hard bumps of skin) on your other toes. It can also lead to calluses, ingrown toenails, or pain and discomfort on the ball of your foot.