Ooo that's better (Boots Toe Spreader)

Member Name: tartlette

Product:	Boots Toe Spreader
Date:	11/02/08 (199 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Pain relief, reasonably priiced

Disadvantages: None

I've suffered with a bunion on my foot for around 10 years. I always associated bunions with older people but as I'm only 24 now you can see that they struck me at a very young age! I've always found the problem slightly embarrassing because when I tell people what they are they look at me and say 'aren't you a bit young for those'! Actually bunions can affect anyone - I have no idea how mine were caused, perhaps some poorly fitting shoes when I was younger!
At first I just ignored the bunion but eventually it became quite painful. I was walking through Boots one day and saw these on the shelf. They said that they provided relief from the pain of bunions, so I snapped one up!

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The toe spreaders cost £3.79 from Boots. I don't think that they would be available in the smaller Boots stores but they seem to be in most places. They are found among the corn pads, food creams and rough skin removers. They are also available on the Boots website.

PACKAGING
The spreader comes on a card backing, which is then surrounded with plastic. It can be difficult to open as all the plastic is stuck on.

USING IT
Once you've removed it from the packaging you are left with a rubber spreader. It is made from an 'advanced polymer gel', which is soft and squidgy. The gel is opaque. The shape of the spreader is a bit like an hourglass if you're looking at it from a birdseye view. Looking at it sideways you can see that the top and the bottom are wider so that they rest over the toe and the top and underneath.

You put the spreader between the big toe and the second toe. It can be used on either the left or right foot. The relief is instant. The spreader moves my big toe over so that it is aligned properly. This stops the pressure of my shoes being only on the bunion. It relieves the pain for all shoes, and is an absolute godsend on a night out in stilettos!
The only problem with the spreader is that its not really practical to wear as much in the summer as it it doesn't stay where it should if I wear sandals.

The spreader can obviously become quite dirty, spending all day between my toes! To clean it you just wash it in soap and water and then pat dry and put talcum power around it. Each spreader lasts me for the about 6 months and after that the gel tends to tear and they become a bit misshapen.
The spreader is supposed to contain a mineral oil to moisturise the skin but I haven't noticed the effects and if there are any I suspect they won't last long between my toes!

CONCLUSION
If you have a bunion which is giving you pain then this could provide relief. I find them fantastic and really notice the difference when I haven't got it between my toes, as the pain in my foot gets bad. I quite often find myself stuffing some screwed up toilet paper between my toes when I forget it! I think that the spreader is good value for how long it lasts and the relief it provides. Definitely recommended!

Summary: Excellent product