Wearing shoes without socks is bad for foot health, experts say

We're all guilty of wearing shoes without socks from time-to-time, but people who make a habit of it are more at risk of developing fungal problems and infections such as athlete's foot, the College of Podiatry has warned.

Some experts are blaming the "bare ankle" trend, which has filtered down from the catwalk to become something of a statement – particularly for men (including celebrity icons Bradley Cooper, Ryan Gosling and Orlando Bloom), who pair the sockless look with both casual and formal attire. This, coupled with the rise in poorly-made footwear, has caused a significant increase in the number of unwanted foot conditions, says podiatrist Emma Stevenson from the College of Podiatry.

"As a whole, we are seeing more and more men coming to us with issues caused by poorly fitting footwear, and not just ones choosing to go sockless."

Because this particular phenomenon is still in its early stages, studies are yet to be performed to establish the true impact of such a problem. However, a combination of excessive sweat, an ill-choice in fabrics and a lack of socks can create an ideal environment in which fungal infections can thrive – potentially leading to feet that are not only smelly but also painful. Dr Stevenson adds:

Such shoes, Dr Stevenson says, cause friction over bony prominences in the feet such as the toes and heels, increasing the risk of ingrown toenails and other bony defect (like bunions, for example).

"Likewise, slip-on shoes cause the toes to claw in order to keep the shoe on the foot and can also result in increased friction on the back of the foot where the foot slips in and out of the shoe."

Still keen to go sockless? Try these simple steps to keep problems at bay...

• Spray the feet with antiperspirant prior to putting shoes on.
• Don't wear the same shoes every day.
• Give shoes 48 hours to dry off.
• Use dry tea bags to absorb excess moisture in shoes.
• Wash and dry feet correctly after going sockless.
• Stop wearing shoes that give you pain.