Are nails dead or alive?

Keratin (a protein made of dead cells) is responsible for making the nails and hair. When your nails are poking out of the skin, you can cut them without having a fear of getting hurt because they are dead nails. They don’t breathe, don’t get tired, and don’t sweat. However, the nail bed and cuticles are made of living and growing tissues, so they need oxygen, vitamins, and minerals.