Fungal Toenails
Learn more about fungal toenail care at Wigley Feet in North Miami Beach.
Overview
What Is Fungal Toenails?
Fungal toenails (onychomycosis) are a fungal infection of the nail and nail bed, causing nails to become thick, discolored, brittle, or crumbly. The same fungus that causes athlete's foot often invades the nail, where it is protected and harder to treat. Fungal nails rarely improve on their own, and over-the-counter products seldom reach the infection. Confirming the diagnosis matters — several other nail conditions look identical — and prescription treatment offers the best chance of clear nails.
Patient Education
Watch: Understanding Fungal Toenails
A short educational video will help explain the condition, why it happens, and what treatment usually looks like.
Procedure education video coming soon
This video section is reserved for Wigley Feet educational content.
Transcript
Transcript coming soon.
Download patient education PDF
Printable 2-page handout on Wigley Feet letterhead.
The video content is for general education only and does not replace medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Procedure recommendations depend on examination, imaging, medical history, insurance requirements, procedural risk, and physician judgment.
Who May Benefit?
- Anyone with thick, discolored, or crumbly toenails
- Patients embarrassed to wear sandals or show their feet
- Patients with diabetes, for whom thick nails raise ulcer risk
When to Seek Care
- Nail thickening, yellowing, or white/brown discoloration
- Nails that are brittle, crumbly, or lifting from the nail bed
- Pain or pressure from thickened nails in shoes
- Any nail change if you have diabetes or circulation problems
How Wigley Feet Evaluates This Condition
- Examination of the nails and surrounding skin
- Testing to confirm fungus before committing to treatment
- Assessment of contributing factors like athlete's foot
Treatment Options
- Prescription topical antifungals for select cases
- Oral antifungal medication — the most effective option for many patients
- Professional nail debridement for comfort and appearance
- Treatment of co-existing athlete's foot to prevent reinfection
Where Is This Procedure Performed?
Depending on the patient, procedure complexity, anesthesia needs, insurance requirements, and physician judgment, eligible procedures may be performed through one of two coordinated surgical pathways at Wigley Feet.
Wigley Feet Surgical Suite
In-house AAAASF-certified office-based surgical suite.
Select eligible procedures may be performed in our in-house office-based Surgical Suite, keeping consultation, treatment, and follow-up coordinated through Wigley Feet.
Learn morePalmetto Lakes Surgical Center
Joint Commission-accredited outpatient ambulatory surgical center partner in Miami.
Some procedures may be better suited for an outpatient ambulatory surgical center. Through our partnership with Palmetto Lakes Surgical Center, a Joint Commission-accredited ambulatory surgical center in Miami, we can coordinate ASC-based surgical care when appropriate.
Learn moreThe surgical setting is determined after consultation and is based on safety, medical appropriateness, procedure type, anesthesia requirements, insurance requirements, and physician judgment.
What to Expect
- 1A confirmed diagnosis before treatment
- 2A realistic timeline — nails clear as they grow, over months
- 3Prevention strategies to protect the new nail
Related at Wigley Feet
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about fungal toenails at the Wigley Feet Surgical Suite in North Miami Beach.
Request a Surgical Consultation
To find out whether this procedure is appropriate for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Stephen Wigley IV and the Wigley Feet care team.
The information on this page is educational and does not replace medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Not every patient is a candidate for office-based surgery or procedures. Final treatment recommendations depend on examination, diagnosis, imaging, medical history, circulation status, anesthesia needs, insurance requirements, procedural risk, and physician judgment. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.