1. I slammed it in a door 2 months ago and the old bruised nail came off yesterday when i bumped it. Was it ready?
2. Why does the new, growing nail smell bad? It has no sign of infection, it just stinks.
3. Should I keep it bandaged to protect it? If so, how long?
If you need pictures I can add them.
the bad smell is a sign of infection. get your doctor to take a look as you may need antibiotics. bathe it in salt water to keep it clean and wear a bandage as the skin where the nail used to be will be very tender for some time, esp if you knock it!!!
I did the same thing some years back. Hopefully I can provide some insight based on my personal experience.
I wouldn't worry about it. Mine fell off the day it happened, and since I had obligations for the day, I jammed it back in (ow) and wrapped a bandage around it. When I got to the doctor later that day, they told me that the nail had been protecting the soft flesh underneath but they made me rip it out (double ow) so that it wouldn't get infected. They just had me put some regular topical antibiotic on it.
Since you say it's been a couple of months, you probably aren't in as much need for the bandage to protect you, however, if you are worried about the smell, I would smear a little topical antibiotic on and give it a loose wrap (so you don't get antibiotic everywhere).
Also, in case you are worried about the new nail: mine was weird and bumpy, but it grew out and now looks like a healthy, normal nail.
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