The Daily News – May 8, 2025

When you kick off your shoes at the door, are you helping or hurting your feet? Well, a recent article from HuffPost dives into this question, and the answers from experts might surprise you. According to a licensed podiatrist, walking barefoot at home can strengthen the muscles in your feet, which tend to weaken as we age. He says this, many foot problems stem from the inability to engage these muscles for normal movement. One dermatologist added that going barefoot allows your skin to breathe, helps prevent moisture buildup, and reduces the risk of fungal infections. Like athlete’s foot walking barefoot can even provide unexpected benefits such as sensory stimulation. The dermatologist described it as a natural reflexology session promoting mindfulness and relaxation as you feel different textures underfoot. However, there are some downsides. Hard floors can lead to foot fatigue or plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammation of the tissue connecting your heel to your toes. Allergens, irritants, or sharp objects on the floor also do pose a risk for individuals with diabetes or poor circulation. Even minor injuries can lead to serious complications, so going barefoot may not be the best option for them when standing for long periods, such as maybe while cooking. The article does suggest wearing supportive footwear to prevent excessive pressure on any one part of the foot. If you prefer a middle ground, socks can offer minimal protection while also allowing your feet to feel relatively free. So what’s the takeaway from the article? For most people walking barefoot at home on clean, well-maintained floors is a safe and healthy choice with benefits for both your muscles and your skin. But if you have specific conditions or spend long hours on your feet, some extra support might be worth considering. If you found this helpful, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell. And as always, thank you so much for joining us on The Daily News. We’ll see you next time.