Marti

I wouldn't wear shoes until all the pain has completely gone away. You can cause further damage to the nail bed by doing so. Don't try doing anything with it until you aren't in pain any more. Leave the side that is still attached alone - let it separate on its own; if it does. The nail is still growing since the nail matris constantly produces nail plate cells. You won't see this happening since toe nails grow VERY slow! It can take 6 months or more for the nail to completely replace itself depending on your genetics.

Keep applying the antibacterial ointment, but do not bandage it with bandaids. Use plain gauze and tie it onto the toe with the ends of the gauze. The gauze will allow the moisture in the skin to evaporate and bandaids will not do that. For extra protection, you might want to bandage it to the next toe - it will give it a bit more support when you walk.