Dr Amir Khan shares how your shoes could be worsening hayfever symptoms

Dr Amir Khan shares how your shoes could be worsening hayfever symptoms Dr Amir Khan has explained how the shoes you're wearing could be responsible for making your hayfever symptoms worse, explaining what you need to do every single day The weather is boiling hot, and pollen levels are high, but did you know that the shoes you wear could actually be worsening your hayfever symptoms? Symptoms of hayfever can be relentless, and sometimes even taking an antihistamine barely takes the edge off. The NHS shares that people who suffer with the condition can sneeze, cough, experience a runny or blocked nose, experience itchiness, have red or watery eyes, and have an itchy throat, nose, or ears. It can even cause sinus pain and loss of smell. Speaking about what he believes to be the correct etiquette when it comes to getting home from a day out, Dr Amir Khan asked: "Do you take your shoes off inside the house?" He said that it's a "sign of respect" but it "can also reduce the risk of bugs and chemicals being traipsed around your home". And it also means that pollen will not be spread around the home, as when you're out and about it's likely that some pollen will have stuck to your shoes, meaning that if you take them off at the door and have a designated place to put them, it's less likely you'll suffer as a result. The Cleveland Clinic shares that "shoes track millions of germs, toxins, and outdoor allergens like pollen into your home. Leaving them at the door keeps pollen out of your carpets and prevents allergy symptoms from lingering indoors". Dr Khan said that "not all dirt is bad" and it can "help train our immune systems," but added he doesn't want "some of the outside stuff coming in," and that's why he believes it's important to take your shoes off at the door. He also pointed out that E. coli, which has been linked to stomach and urinary tract infections, can also enter your home through shoes. Pollen isn't the only allergen that can be brought in on shoes either, as dust and mould can also find their way inside, as can pesticides if you've been walking in parks or along golf courses, according to Dr Khan. In the comments, someone wrote: "I’ve been a mammy for 30 years, and as soon as my kids started walking and wearing shoes, I taught them to take their shoes off at the front door. They still do it to this day." A second added: "Yesss, and I was always made to feel like a weirdo for years asking people to do this!" A third wrote: "We all take our shoes off, but I’ve got shoe covers if visitors don’t want to take their shoes off. I hate the thought of dirty shoes on my carpets." However, one woman said that they didn't want "people's sweaty feet" on their carpet, so they operate a shoe-on household. Do you take your shoes off when you get back in? Let us know in the comments...