Lost fingernail - how to protect nail bed..?

[WindyCommon]

Dropped a catch on the first day of the cricket season back in July. Nasty finger-ender. Nail went purple then black, then partly white. No medical advice natch.

Nail has now come off exposing the whole nail bed. It’s pretty uncomfortable, but doesn’t appear to be infected. I’ve cleaned it and applied some Savlon.

Is there something I can buy to protect the finger end whilst the nail regrows? I understand it might take a few months.

I don’t think a plaster will do the job as I don’t want anything sticky bonding to the bed.

Ideas/experiences welcomed.

If no PH help forthcoming I will post a picture of my finger. It’s not pretty!

[pherlopolus]

Just had a toe nail removed and using the non stick dressing pads, micropore tape and a finger bandage. (At start of week 2) expect to be doing this for a further 2 weeks at least.

Toe nail needed removing due to it being knocked off a couple of times in the past and never growing back correctly...

[RC1807]

OP: pharmacies sell these hard plastic shields that go over the finger (like an elongated U) and can then be bandaged over. Once the previous under the nail surface has dried and become less sensitive, then you may feel more comfortable removing the shield.

[WindyCommon]

Thank you! That sounds like what I’m looking for. I can’t find them online - I don’t know what to search for. Do you have a brand or product name?

[drmike37]

If you smear a little bit of Vaseline on the nail bed, that will stop sticking. Use a cotton bud for accuracy. A simple Elastoplast over this will be fine.
After a week or two the sensitivity should subside, it’ll be dry and you might not need anything on it unless you’re doing something dirty/dangerous.