Going barefoot is a pain, parents warned

It may be common in some Hong Kong homes to go barefoot but the practice could harm children's feet, an expert has warned.

Walking barefoot at home could impede the development of the feet and lower limbs and even affect stability by confusing the brain, says orthopaedic surgeon Ko Put-sui.

And he has more bad news for children - soft-soled trainer shoes can cause the same problem.

'The brain keeps receiving signals about the land from the feet and sending orders on how to react accordingly,' said Dr Ko, of the Centre for Orthopaedic Surgery.

'If the input is affected by walking barefoot it will jeopardise reflexes and balance. As a result, the person might be more likely to fall or feel foot pain.'

Walking barefoot for a long time also caused uneven pressure distribution and exposed feet to a higher risk of toe sprain or skin disease, he said.

Dr Ko said a survey of 3,699 primary school pupils found 30.5 per cent walked around their home barefoot.