3. Thickening Skin
People who are suffering from bunions start to notice a thickening of the skin around the big toe as the condition advances. Over time, the skin begins to take on the appearance of a callous, similar to what you would get on your hands from working with barbells or dumbbells at the gym.
This callous occurs due to the bunion reducing circulation to the area of the toe that’s affected. When blood flow drops, the skin starts to experience abnormalities and begins to thicken. Some affected individuals may decide to shave down the callous or seek removal through surgical procedures.
Unfortunately, as the bunion continues to grow, the callous will return even with surgery to remove it or conventional trimming techniques. Callouses may also develop on the second toe due to irritation from the big toe rubbing on the inside. Treat these callouses by removing them with a blade and moisturizing the skin around the affected area.