Question
Dear Doc

I live in the UK, where the weather is mild, rarely hotter the 23C or colder the -2C or so.

I have a daughter who is seven, and apart from school she goes barefoot. While most people here accept this and whether its a walk in the woods, skipping across the gravel path, playing on the swings in the park or walking down the high street she is comfortable being barefoot and it does not hinder her in any way

But one or two people keep telling me i put her in danger from rat urine and other things she make catch from dogs and cats and other things that might be on pavements, because it is acceptable for children to kick off their shoes in own gardens, parks, beaches and so on

So please help me out doc

I used to live in Australia for a while and it was normal to go around without your shoes there, despite nasty snakes and spiders  

Answer
If anything I would be more concerned with broken glass and the like. I wouldn't be concerned with her catching anything, only injuring herself on something sharp.  It sounds like your careful about that, so disregard the naysayers.

All the best,
Andrew Schneider, DPM

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