General Dermatology
Nail Fungus Treatment in Tampa
Onychomycosis — fungal nail infection — affects millions of Americans, causing thickened, discolored, and brittle nails that are difficult to treat without medical guidance. Dr. Sergay offers prescription oral and topical therapies with proven efficacy to restore healthy nails.
Dr. Sergay's Approach
Understanding Nail Fungus
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail unit — most commonly toenails — caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, or non-dermatophyte molds. It affects up to 14% of the general population and becomes more common with age. The infection is often slow to develop and easy to overlook early on.
Symptoms include nail thickening, yellow-brown or white discoloration, brittleness, crumbling edges, and in some cases pain with shoes. Nail fungus doesn't resolve on its own and OTC treatments are largely ineffective — accurate diagnosis and prescription therapy are needed for meaningful clearance.
Before prescribing treatment, Dr. Sergay will confirm the diagnosis (nail changes from psoriasis or trauma can mimic fungus) and select the most appropriate therapy based on the number of nails involved, the degree of involvement, and your overall health profile.
Confirmed Diagnosis
Nail clipping or culture when needed
Prescription Treatment
Oral & topical options available
Treatment Options
How Dr. Sergay Treats Nail Fungus
Nail fungus requires prescription therapy. Treatment selection depends on the number and extent of affected nails, the organism type, and your health history.
Oral Terbinafine
Terbinafine (Lamisil) taken daily for 6 weeks (fingernails) or 12 weeks (toenails) is the gold standard oral treatment. Achieves complete cure in approximately 70–80% of cases. Requires baseline liver function monitoring. Most patients tolerate it very well.
Oral Itraconazole
Itraconazole can be taken as continuous daily therapy or as pulse dosing (1 week on, 3 weeks off) for 3–4 cycles. Effective for both dermatophyte and Candida nail infections. Considered when terbinafine is not suitable.
Prescription Topical Antifungals
Efinaconazole (Jublia) and tavaborole (Kerydin) are FDA-approved nail lacquers applied daily to affected nails. Best for mild-to-moderate cases without nail matrix involvement. Slower to work than oral therapy but avoids systemic side effects.
Nail Debridement
Trimming and filing the infected nail reduces fungal load and may improve penetration of topical agents. Dr. Sergay can perform in-office nail debridement as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, particularly for thick, crumbly nails.
Combination Therapy
Combining oral antifungals with daily topical application improves cure rates and reduces relapse compared to monotherapy. Recommended for patients with extensive involvement, slow-growing nails, or prior treatment failure.
Recurrence Prevention
Nail fungus has a high recurrence rate — up to 40% within 3 years. Dr. Sergay will advise on preventive measures: antifungal sprays or powders for shoes, breathable footwear, keeping nails dry, and treating athlete's foot promptly to prevent nail reinfection.
14%
Of adults affected by nail fungus
70–80%
Cure rate with oral terbinafine
3–6 mo
Time to see new nail growth
No OTC
Prescription therapy required for results
Common Questions
Nail Fungus FAQ
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Ready for Healthier Nails?
Nail fungus won't clear on its own, but with the right treatment it absolutely can be cured. Book with Dr. Sergay and get a personalized plan to restore your nails.