Is walking barefoot bad for a child’s health?

Find out if being shoeless indoors can actually cause or worsen colds and other childhood problems

“Get off that frozen floor!” You probably heard this as a child and today you repeat the same phrase to your children. But it will Can walking barefoot, especially in the cold, really cause or worsen flu, colds and other ailments?

“Respiratory viral infections are transmitted through particles and droplets. The fact that the child is barefoot does not mean that he will have the flu”, explains Clery Bernardi Gallacci, pediatrician and neonatologist at the Hospital e Maternidade Santa Joana. In other words, having his feet directly on the ground will not make the child ill Avoid closed environments , spaces with large crowds and frequent hand hygiene are effective measures to prevent contagion, especially during autumn and winter, seasons in which viruses circulate more easily.

“The most important thing is always keep the airways moist this time of year when the weather is drier and colder. In this way the respiratory cilia, which line the airways, will be able to protect the mucosa, acting as a defense mechanism for the respiratory system”, adds Clery. For this reason, the use of inhalers and humidifiers is strongly recommended.

Temperature variation and rhinitis

Although walking barefoot does not cause colds, flu and the like, conventional wisdom isn’t entirely wrong. The practice “can generate sensitivity to rhinitis, such as vasomotor rhinitis, which is that [ativada] by temperature change,” reflects pediatric otolaryngologist Maura Neves. The symptoms are very similar to those of an allergic condition: runny nose, stuffy and itchy nose.

It’s the same thing that happens, for example, when we get out of a hot shower or get out of bed, move to a cooler environment and start sneezing. “It’s the temperature change that causes a neural control reaction in the nose and we have this kind of symptom”explains the doctor.

That is, it is general exposure to cold which leads to this situation, not specifically because of walking barefoot, but also because of it, especially if the floor is tiled. So, running away from the famous “puffs of air”, from the so-called “cold” and from the frozen ground makes perfect sense to avoid triggering vasomotor rhinitis. prevent respiratory discomfort.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.