Are purple nails a sign of a health problem?

Purple fingernails are not a direct sign of a health problem, according to WebMD. A bluish hue may signify that the person does not take in enough oxygen. While the color and texture of nails may be a sign of illness, it depends on the color.

White nails have associations with liver disease, dark lines beneath the nail can be a symptom of melanoma, and pale nail beds can be a result of anemia, notes WebMD. Fifty percent of discolored nails are the result of fungi, reports MedicineNet. Yellow nail syndrome is not a common condition; however, it is hereditary and produces discolored and slow-growing nails.