How long does oral antifungal treatment take to work for nail fungus?

Nail fungus can make a nail thick, brittle, discoloured, or separated from its bed. A clear strip growing from the base may show response, while the damaged portion remains until it advances and is trimmed away. Toenails usually appear to change more slowly than fingernails because nail growth is gradual. A nail that becomes painful, drains, or changes despite treatment may need confirmation of the diagnosis.

Take the medicine exactly as prescribed and attend any requested monitoring. Keep nails short and dry, do not share clippers, and wear footwear that leaves room for the toes. Treat coexisting athlete's foot if advised, since untreated skin infection can reseed the nail. Avoid cosmetic nail products if they hide changes your clinician needs to see. Read about [Oral Antifungal Treatment](/treatments/medical-dermatology/oral-antifungal-therapy/).

Seek prompt review for increasing pain, swelling, pus, a dark streak, or redness spreading around the nail. Get urgent help for yellowing of the eyes or skin, unusually dark urine, severe nausea, breathing trouble, or facial swelling after treatment. Arrange reassessment if no healthy growth appears or several nails become involved.

Ask how response will be checked, how long your course is expected to last, whether a nail sample is needed, and which symptoms should prompt medicine review.