i also recently have had severe damage to my finger matrix.

the nail was severed and the 'base' where the matrix is located was cut pretty badly. to the extend that it ripped the bottom part of my nail out and i needed stiches. the er doctor 'glued' the nail back over the cut and it's been 8 days since. the matrix is still bleeding although it does not appear infected.

a couple questions :

how long should i leave the nail over the cut? does putting your old nail over your finger help in keeping a little pressure on the area where the matrix grows while its healing? i was told that would help protect the cut and help set a place for the new nail to grow. or does a matrix heal better when there is not nail in place to help set the new nail?

also, what's the chance of growing a new nail back? is there anything I can do now to encourage that? (i.e. diet, putting a gel/liquid besides neosporin on the wounded matrix, etc.)

thanks so much for the help!