Walking barefoot is trendy, but doing it anywhere could lead to catching this.

This year's popularity of 'barefoot walking' continues. Barefoot walking literally means walking without shoes, with bare feet touching the ground. The concept of 'earthing' (also known as grounding), which suggests that direct contact of bare skin with the earth can improve health, has gained popularity through word of mouth. You can even see people barefoot walking on neighborhood trails that are not specifically designed for barefoot walking. Let's explore the benefits of barefoot walking and what precautions to take.

Walking barefoot improves blood circulation compared to walking with shoes. When wearing shoes, only the muscles used are engaged, but walking barefoot activates muscles between the toes, on the instep, and on the sole of the foot. Stimulating the reflex zones, lymphatic system, and nerve endings in the foot also helps with blood circulation. Additionally, when walking with subtle muscle movements to maintain balance, the intrinsic foot core muscles are strengthened more even over the same distance compared to walking with shoes.

Walking barefoot also has benefits for mental health. When the nerves in the soles of the feet are stimulated, the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol decreases. Cortisol is secreted from the adrenal glands attached to the kidneys, and it excites the body's nervous system, raising blood pressure and causing rapid breathing. Moderate secretion is not a problem, but when cortisol levels rise due to excessive stress, it can lead to imbalances in body metabolism, resulting in abdominal obesity, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases. This is because cortisol stimulates appetite and contributes to fat accumulation in the abdomen. According to a study by the University of California, the group that walked barefoot showed lower cortisol levels compared to the group that wore shoes.

However, walking barefoot anywhere increases the risk of infection from various bacteria, including tetanus, so caution is advised. Tetanus is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that invade wounds and produce toxins, leading to muscle contractions and pain. Tetanus bacteria are found everywhere around us, including rusty nails, soil, animal feces, sand, and wood. Symptoms appear after an incubation period of 3 to 21 days, most commonly within two weeks. Initially, neck and jaw muscles become stiff, and as the condition worsens, it can become impossible to open the mouth or swallow food. Other symptoms include headache, mild fever, chills, and generalized pain. To prevent tetanus, it is recommended not to walk barefoot in contaminated areas and to avoid walking barefoot if there are wounds on the feet. If foreign substances remain in the wound or if it is left untreated for more than six hours, there is a high risk of developing tetanus even after disinfection.

Tetanus vaccination is also essential. According to the Korea Health Management Association, tetanus has a high mortality rate, and most infected patients either did not receive the vaccination or received it inadequately. Tetanus vaccination involves a primary series of three doses of DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) vaccine at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. Subsequently, one additional dose of DTaP vaccine is administered at 15-18 months and at 4-6 years of age. If a booster dose of Td or Tdap vaccine was given at 11-12 years old, adults should continue to receive vaccinations every 10 years for continued effectiveness. Even after completing the recommended primary tetanus vaccination in childhood, there are reports that approximately 83% of protective antibody levels are lost after 14-23 years.

There are people who should avoid barefoot walking exercises. Diabetic patients are a prime example. Patients with diabetic neuropathy, which causes sensory impairment, may not feel wounds on their feet, leading them to continue walking unknowingly, causing the wounds to deepen and develop into ulcers or infections. In cases of diabetic vascular disease, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, or other conditions that impair blood circulation in the legs, wounds tend to heal poorly and may worsen to the point of requiring amputation. Therefore, it is advisable not to engage in barefoot walking exercises.