Healing after nail removed

[Annoyingsquirrels]

I had a tumor under my fingernail removed 5 days ago. Nail was removed and nail bed was sutured with dissolvable stitches. I managed the first dressing change at home (as the NHS has no aftercare) but am wondering what to do about dressings now. All I was told by the surgeon was to put vaseline on it after removing dressing at 5 days.

The nail bed looks bright red and tender and as I was worried about knocking it I have also used a melonin dressing. Is this ok? Does anyone know if the nail bed heals better if it is left uncovered? I read that it is normally better for new nail growth if the surgeon puts the original nail back on to protect it but that was not offered as an option. I am wondering if it is better to keep it moist or whether it would heal quicker if it dries out?

I am also unsure about showering. Is it ok to get the wound wet now?

Has anyone had anything similar and how long before it hardened and they could return to normal activities? I would like to do some gardening but it would be too painful to put gardening gloves over the dressing. How long does the nail bed take to harden?

Hi
My thumb nail came off when I had an infection in the nail bed
It was over 30 years ago, so memories slightly vague
I do remember it being really sore for about a week, but I was back at work as a nurse after that so can't have kept it covered with a dressing due to hand washing
My only real problem was that as it grew out I did have problems with it ingrowing and my husband had to prise it out a couple of times

could you ring your surgeon perhaps the secretary and she will pass the message on? or can you ask your GP? go on a proper website like the NHS one they have lots of information something on there might help

Ring your GP and ask for an appointment with the practice nurse and ask them . In the 80s I had 5 fingernails removed because of frostbite but I can’t for the life of me recall what I did with them afterwards , that said my fingers had very limited feeling so it was totally different .

Thanks gardenersdelight, that sounds encouraging

I tried the GP but was told they don't deal with this anymore and told me to go back to dermatology who operated. I then tried dermatology who said to just follow the surgeon's instructions which was basically just Vaseline.

I have tried googling but either the advice is around toenails which seem to be killed off with phenol to stop new nails growing back or for fingernails they seem to suggest the surgeon should have splinted with the removed fingernail.

Just wondering if anyone else has any practical experience of this.