Have you ever wondered why you’re the only one you know suffering from nail fungus when all your friends seem to have healthy, happy nails they can show off in public? Have you ever wondered why nail fungus sometimes seems to run in families - your Dad had it and so do you?

Well, scientists reporting in the New England Journal of Medicine last month may have discovered at least some of the answers to your questions.

Recent research shows a genetic link that may determine a persons susceptibility to nail fungus. Apparently two proteins, called Dectin-1 and CARD9, interact with each other in order to support our immunity from nail fungus infections.

When these proteins are mutated or missing our systems find it harder to fend off and fight nail fungus infections.

Dr Bart Ferwerda, involved in the research on the protein called Dectin-1, said “These findings are a first step in understanding the genetic susceptibility to common and disabling fungal diseases such as onychomycosis..”

Dr. Erik-Oliver Glocker, who co-authored the paper on the protein known as CARD9, stated that the discovery “enables further insights in the interaction between fungi and the human immune system and may pave the way for future therapeutic options…”

It will be interesting to see how this research develops and what impact it may have on the future of treatments for toenail and fingernail fungus.