DETROIT – Is it healthy to wear outdoor shoes inside your home? Science doesn’t really support either side of the argument.
However, there are other reasons why wearing shoes inside your home might actually be a good idea.
I don’t wear shoes in the house, but there are plenty of times I wish I had them on, especially when my kids were little and random LEGOs were commonly found on the floor.
If you’ve ever stepped on one then you’ve missed something very special. Even if you don’t have LEGOs litering your floor, there are a few serious reasons why you might want to keep shoes on in your house.
Dr. Nicole Brouyette is a podiatrist at Henry Ford Health. She said with more people working from home she’s seen an increase in foot pain and a condition called plantar fasciitis. She said a rigid shoe to protect the bottom of the foot and allow the arch to be supported has been beneficial to keep the alignment of your joints.
Also, older people can benefit from the added stability and traction a shoe provides. Slips and falls in the home are a major risk for seniors.
Diabetics with peripheral neuropathy sometimes cannot feel the bottom of their foot and the added protection of a shoe could be beneficial.
While Brouyette is in favor of people wearing shoes indoors, she recommends having a dedicated pair of indoor shoes that you change into when you come home -- ideally a pair with good arch support and some traction.
Read: Should you take your shoes off -- or leave them on -- in your house? Breaking down the research