With warm weather bowing out to cooler autumn days, the carefree flip-flops and sandals of summer will soon give way to more seasonal footwear. Hot on this fall’s list of must-haves are booties and ankle boots in leather and suede to accentuate those long sleek leggings.

But now that your toes are going to be kept inside for several months, be sure to protect them from common injuries and ailments.

The term “ingrown toenail” is an unattractive one, but the medical term, onychocryptosis, is not much more appealing. Ingrown toenails can occur as the result of injury, such as stubbing the toe but more often the causes are simply ill-fitting or too-tight shoes and incorrect trimming of the nail. An ingrown nail curls into the nail bed as it grows. They can be very painful and if not treated can become infected. Ingrown toenails are most common on the big toes.

Prevent ingrown nails by trimming the toenail straight across. Resist the urge to cut the nail to follow the curve of the end of the toe. If an ingrown nail starts it can be treated at home by soaking the foot in warm soapy water, and inserting a wad of sterile cotton under the edge of the nail to keep it from growing into the skin. If the condition becomes chronic or there are signs of infection, seek advice from a medical professional.

Always be sure that the shoes you wear are the correct sixe and that the toebox gives adequate room to prevent ingrown nails from becoming a painful price to pay for fashion.

The latest fashion frenzy for summer feet is flip-flops. Long considered beach wear, the flip-flop has evolved and is available with beads and other decorative items, jazzing them up and making them a fashion accessory.

Called flip-flops because of the sound they make when they slap against the foot as the wearer walks, they are popular all over the world and are known by several other names, such as “thongs” and “jandals”.

Flip-flops scored high on a survey of teens and college students of the most important items of their summer wardrobes. They are now even making it into business offices, carried in on the feet of employees. Generally inexpensive, even the ones sporting beads and sequins, they are an attractive and colorful addition to a relaxed summer look. However, as their popularity surges, so does their standing amongst other footwear and as a result names like Ralph Lauren and Eddie Bauer are getting in on the craze, producing their own “designer” flip-flops.

One caution: Flip-flops provide little to no support for the foot and so devout wearers may suffer pain and inflammation in the heels of the feet. But for the occasional casual yet snazzed up summer look, a great pair of flip-flops can be an outfit’s best accessory.