6 reasons why you should stop walking barefoot at home right now
Many of us wiggle our toes with glee when we get home after a long day of wearing restrictive, stiff, small, or generally uncomfortable shoes. Feeling carpet or flooring beneath our feet after letting our tootsies go is an exhilarating sensation for almost all of us. But did you know the habit of walking around barefoot at home could be causing more harm than it's worth? Let's delve into why despite the respite we need to kick this bad habit to the curb as it is often a potential cause of harm.
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Why you should stop walking barefoot at home?
1) Increased risk of foot injuries
While walking barefoot at home seems harmless, think twice before doing so because it actually increases the risk of various foot injuries?and as well as falling, according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine. When we walk without a layer of protection between our feet and another surface we are more likely to stub our toes, step on a sharp object or slip on wet surfaces. While most of these accidents are often minor leading to slight cuts or bruises things can take an ugly turn leading to more serious injuries like fractures.
2) Increased risk of fungal foot and toenail infections
Depending on the surroundings, going barefoot can get more and more risky. You can be infected with athlete's foot, hookworm, toenail fungus, calluses, and a host of other bacteria-causing conditions, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. While some of these infections?begin by only affecting the skin in between your toes,?they can grow and spread to the nails, causing an unpleasant stench to come from your feet.??
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3) Increased risk of Plantar warts and Plantar fasciitis
Although they are mostly painless, plantar warts, also known as verrucas, can cause discomfort. According to a research study, one of the most common ways by which they are caused is after?human papillomavirus (HPV) enters the feet through small cuts and abrasions. On the other hand, Plantar fasciitis occurs when the tissue supporting the arch of your foot, becomes irritated and inflamed and can be caused due to various reasons, the most common of which is lack of proper footwear.
4) Can permanently alter your foot's shape
Walking barefoot, especially on hard surfaces,?might cause your foot to morph into a less supportive shape gradually.?According to a research study published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, being habitually barefoot can permanently alter foot mechanics and motor performance. Your feet automatically distribute the weight and absorb shock while you walk and if you walk barefoot, your feet may distribute too much weight and shock on one area of your foot, which can cause the foot's natural arch and shape to collapse.
5) Bad posture and back pain
Our feet are the key players responsible for supporting our entire body but a lack of proper footwear can place undue stress on your feet which leads to poor posture and ultimately back or knee pain, according to the?National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.?
6) Can lead to permanently cracked heels
One of the lesser evils of going barefoot at home is the potential of developing cracked heels. When your heels lack proper protection from footwear they get exposed to dry air and friction from walking on hard surfaces. Other than being unsightly cracked heels can often cause discomfort while standing and walking and can easily be avoided by simply refraining from walking barefoot.
So, the next time you're tempted, think twice before going barefoot even in your house. Your feet could suffer long-term harm from it, even though it might be more comfortable for a short while.
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