'I'm a doctor and this is whether you should take your shoes off when you get home'

'I'm a doctor and this is whether you should take your shoes off when you get home' Some leave their shoes at the door when they get home or visit someone else's property, while others prefer to leave them on. And now one TV doctor has revealed which approach is right What's the first thing you do when you step through the front door into your home? You might put down your keys, take off your coat, or check the post. But do you take your shoes off? It's a debate that divides households across the country - should you take your shoes off as soon as you get inside, or is it acceptable to walk around your home, or someone else's, with them still on? Some argue that wearing shoes inside tracks dirt from outside throughout the house, but others simply can't bear the thought of walking on carpets and flooring, even in socks, while some need to wear shoes for mobility reasons. Now, one TV doctor has weighed in, claiming to settle the argument once and for all. Dr Amir Khan is a familiar face on British television screens, regularly seen dispensing valuable health advice on ITV's Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, as well as across social media, reports Wales Online. What does Dr Amir Khan say about wearing shoes indoors? In a clip on TikTok, Dr Khan said: "Guys, if you're anything like me, you take off your shoes as soon as you get into the house. It's a sign of respect if you're in someone else's house, but also can reduce the risk of bugs and chemicals being traipsed around your home. "Now, don't get me wrong, not all dirt is bad. It can help train our immune systems and build a healthy immune system. But I don't want some of the outside stuff coming in. "Now, shoes can harbour a lot of bacteria. Let's be honest - animals poo and pee out there, so things like E. coli, which have been linked to stomach infections and urine retract infections, can be brought in through our shoes. "Other bacteria can as well. Usually in small doses, they're fine, but you just don't want too many of them in the house. "The other thing is allergens such as pollen, dust, mould. That's all out there as well, and if you've got things like hay fever or allergies, you want to reduce the number of them coming into the house. So take your shoes off. "And also, if you've been walking in parks, fields, golf courses, there could be lots of pesticide chemicals on your shoes, too. Now, in small doses, they're not harmful at all. But you don't want them in your house where you might be preparing food." As his cat pawed at his shoelaces, Dr Khan wrapped up by saying: "So take your shoes off, leave your cat, and put some indoor slippers on, and off you go." What do other experts say? Most experts agree that you should take your shoes off inside your home. According to Good Housekeeping, even shoes which look clean could be hiding dirt, bacteria, and allergens, which you could tread into your carpet. And people without carpets are at risk too - small stones wedged into the tread of your shoes could damage wooden floors, lino, tiles, and other hard surfaces. Good Housekeeping also warns heels and shoes with studs such as football boots could cause similar issues. The risk of spreading pests, bacteria, and viruses into the home is also greater if you don't take your shoes off - and children playing on the floor could be particularly vulnerable. This is especially the case for babies and toddlers, who may be more prone to putting their hands in their mouths.