Treatment of onychomycosis is associated with substantial disease reappearance rates. Identification of factors associated with therapeutic failure may help develop strategies to prevent recurrence of onychomycosis. Aspects of a patient's health and lifestyle, local factors involving the nail, therapeutic options, and environmental conditions are associated with poor therapeutic response. Strategies to reduce recurrence of disease involve the reduction of both relapse (delayed failure) and reinfection. The topical antifungal agent ciclopirox nail lacquer, may be a consideration for prophylaxis of this chronic disease.