Yes, nails receive oxygen and nutrients from the bloodstream, not from the air. The common misconception that nails need to "breathe" is incorrect.
How Nails Get Oxygen
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Blood Supply: Nails are living tissue and receive their oxygen and nutrients directly from the blood vessels in the underlying nail bed. This is explicitly stated in multiple sources (Allure, Wexner Medical Center, Rocky Mountain Foot and Ankle Center).
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No Air Required: Unlike skin, which can absorb some oxygen from the air, nails do not rely on atmospheric oxygen for survival. This explains why nail polish doesn't suffocate nails.
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Nail Health & Circulation: Problems with nail color (like blue nails) can be an indication of poor circulation, meaning insufficient oxygen-rich blood is reaching the nails (Healthline, Medical News Today).
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Myth of "Breathing Nails": The idea that nails need to "breathe" is a myth; they obtain their oxygen from the bloodstream. This is corroborated by multiple dermatologists and medical sources.
Understanding Nail Biology
Nails are made of keratin, a protein produced by cells in the nail matrix. The nail matrix is well-supplied with blood vessels, which nourish the growing nail. The nail plate itself is essentially a layer of dead, keratinized cells, but its growth and health depend on the underlying living tissue and its blood supply.
