Are Toenails Alive? Let’s Get Into It

They grow, they break, and sometimes they act up — but are toenails actually alive? The answer is a little more layered than you might think. Let’s talk about it.

1. The Part You See? Nope, It’s Not Alive

The hard surface you clip and paint is made of dead keratin — a tough protein that’s not living tissue. That’s why it doesn’t hurt when you cut your toenails.

Helpful tip: Just because it’s not alive doesn’t mean it doesn’t need care. Keep dead keratin healthy with hydration and gentle grooming.

2. But the Base? That’s Where the Life Happens

Underneath your cuticle is the nail matrix — this is the part of your toenail that is alive. It’s where new nail cells are created and pushed forward to form the visible nail.

Reminder: Damage to the matrix (like trauma or picking) can cause permanent changes in how your toenail grows. Protect your toes from injury!

3. That’s Why You Can Feel Pain (Sometimes)

If you rip or bend a toenail too far back, you’ll feel pain — but not from the nail itself. You’re feeling it in the nail bed and surrounding skin, which are alive and full of nerves and blood vessels.

Soothing solution: If your toenail gets injured, soak it in warm water and apply oil or balm to keep it clean and calm.

4. Healthy Growth Starts Below the Surface

Even though the part you see is dead, healthy nail growth depends on what’s going on underneath. That includes nutrition, circulation, and protection of the matrix.

Pro tip: Boost nail health with a balanced diet (biotin, protein, water!) and don’t skip cuticle oil — it helps nourish the live tissue below.

Final Word

Are toenails alive? Kind of. What you see is dead, but what grows it is very much alive. That means how you care for your toes does affect how your nails look, grow, and feel. Take care of the living parts, and the rest will follow.

So Icy Nailz Tip

Want cute, healthy growth? Treat your nail beds like royalty. Never skip cuticle care, avoid harsh chemicals, and wear protective polish if you’re on your feet a lot. Dead or alive — we keep it icy