What’s the difference between a bunion and a bunionette?

A bunion and bunionette are very similar, but they have one key difference: they develop on opposite sides of your foot. A bunion is an enlarged bump at the base of your big toe, where the digit meets the ball of your foot. A bunionette is a swollen bump on the outside of your foot at the base of your smallest toe. Also called a tailor’s bunion, this is an issue with the fifth metatarsal bone tilting away from its neighbors while the little toe tilts toward the other digits, causing the joint to bulge outward—just like a bunion, but on the outside of the foot. Pressure on the bump inflames and irritates it, creating swelling and pain. This can make it uncomfortable to wear certain shoes.