If You Walk Around Your Home Barefoot, You May Want To Stop ASAP

Though Conenello is generally a proponent of going barefoot, he advises wearing foot support when engaging in tasks that involve standing for extended periods of time — like when cooking.

“When standing for long periods barefoot, there can be excessive load to one area of the foot,” he said. “Even my professional cooks usually benefit from a shoe that allows them to balance weight over their entire foot.”

To illustrate the concept further, he made an analogy. “[Let’s say] that you developed some decent core strength through performing some planks,” he said. “I would not suggest you start adding significant time or weight to your exercise routine prematurely.”

There is, of course, a middle ground: socks.

According to Conenello, “there is nothing wrong with wearing socks.” They’ll simply decrease the benefits associated with being barefoot. “There is now a filter between the ground and the foot,” he said.

Kopelman added that socks can offer “minimal protection from minor abrasions or allergens while still allowing your feet to feel relatively free.” Direct contact with surfaces that may harbor bacteria or irritants is also minimized when wearing socks. 

Taking all the pros and cons into account, walking barefoot at home — especially on clean and well-maintained floors — is not only safe, but generally healthy … unless you’re dealing with some sort of skin condition (think psoriasis, eczema or athlete’s foot, for example) that could be exacerbated by the presence of bacteria. 

“Likewise, individuals with diabetes, neuropathy or poor circulation should avoid barefoot walking due to the increased risk of unnoticed injuries or infections,” Kopelman said.

Going barefoot selectively seems to be the best option. Moderation is, indeed, key.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.