fingernail problem

[Guest guest]

Hi. I had an infection in my thumb a few weeks ago, probably from a

hangnail. I eventually was able to relieve the pressure through epsom salt

soaks and prodding and poking with a needle. I've used iodine on it since,

and the infection appears gone, but I'm going to lose about half of my

thumbnail. It's connected at the end of my finger (and on one side), but not

at the cuticle. The iodine lights it up where it's no longer connected to

the nail bed - it has detached from the nailbed about 1/2 way across my

cuticle and 1/4 " up.

I'm trying to avoid picking at it, but I know within a couple days I won't

be able to push it back under the cuticle anymore. I'm thinking I should

stop using the iodine since it is drying things out. Does anyone have any

ideas about what to use to stimulate growth and attachment to the nailbed

for the new nail?

thank you in advance,