Exposed nail bed - how to look after it?

[SoonMeansNever]

3.10yo DS1 caught his little finger in the door a few weeks ago (hinge side) and the nail has finally come off today - I had to cut it as it was flapping.
The nail bed looks awful, healed, but lumpy and no sign of a new nail yet.

What's the best way to care for it, leave it open, cover with a plaster, apply Savlon/TCP etc, or see the doc?
I didn't take him to the doc at the time as the bone didn't seem damaged, and he could bend it normally, but now I'm wondering if I should have.

Horribly, DS2 trapped a finger that same week and his nail looks like it'll go soon too - poor boys, I feel awful.

I'll post a pic of DS1's below in a min - any advice appreciated.

Next to his undamaged little finger from his other hand for contrast...

Sorry, bigger pic here.
I'm probably being a giant fusspot aren't i.......

Is it painful? I'd prob make an appointment at the dr's to check if it's healing ok. Or ring nhs24

DD did similar this week, but ended up in a&e and needing stitches, she also had to have her nail taken off and sewn back on. It was pretty grim, her's is bandaged and she's on antibiotics as she's got stiches.

Looking at the 2nd picture I'd take him to the Dr as it might grow back funny with the Middle part being missing. Is it painful?

Thank you for replying passme !

He says it's sore now, but didn't before the nail came off, so I've just called and booked to see the Nurse in the morning - I'll pop a plaster on it til then.

I am a bit worried the nail won't grow back, having Googled earlier it seems possible that it might not. :(

Think you've done the right thing, perhaps give him some calpol too to help with the pain.

I'm not 100% sure how they grow back, think if the nail bed is intact they must grow back properly as the Dr took my DD's off and sewed it back on so I'm sure they'll be able to do something if needs be.

I'm also amazed she wasn't given any pain killers as I know it hurts like hell when I split a nail, but the Dr said it shouldn't be painful now he's put her nail back on and just said give her calpol If she has any pain

Ow ow ow that sounds painful, you're poor DD! Yowch.
I hope she heals quickly! I'll Calpol DS shortly, might stop him messing with it if it's not bothering him.

Thank you Soon we're back at the hospital tomorrow to check it's healing ok. Really hope it is, as it wasn't nice seeing it being sewn the other day and her being sedated

Hope you get on ok tomorrow

My 3 y.o did the same thing, same finger. Can you let me know what the doc says op just want to see if the advice that it's fine that I got from my gp is a universal feeling with them. Here's hers

bigfam Yes, the nurse and GP both said it was fine - best to cover it for preschool to prevent damage as it's sensitive, but not to avoid messy play. Make sure it's clean and properly dried after.

I can't see your pic at the mo as am on my phone, but the nurse said she thought the pale bit by DS's cuticle was the new nail growing in.

I'm in Hosp with my youngest (wheezy) and his nail has now come off too - the nurse here has given me a roll of narrow surgical tape to use to cover it, so I'll do that on both boys. Plasters have been coming off on DS1, even the little one are too big.

Big fan I would recommend you get your DC's finger checked again - my DD's finger looked like that and she ended up needing a minor operation to make the nail bed flat so her new nail could grow back.

Thanks for advice-and for letting me know what ur gp said op, hope your lo is ok