Cut my nails too short

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I have an audition tomorrow, and I was freaking playing basketball and my nail split a little.

So I decided to cut it all the way down.

Bad idea. 

Now it hurts more than before!

So how the heck do I fix this problem by tomorrow?

Or should I just muscle it through my audition and take the pain?

[mikeowski]

I think band aids work really well in that situiation. Though I haven't cut my nails too short in years, I think I remember this helped me.
Edit: Quick google search told me: It works because it applies pressure. But don't put it on too tight, it's bad for blood circulation.
If you have never played with a band-aid on, I can tell you from experience it barely makes any difference for me.

[chopin2015]

Band aids suck if you have never played with them! Just try to play flat...

[mikeowski]

Band aids suck if you have never played with them! Just try to play flat...

I remember the first time I played with a band aid, I was surprised by how little it bothered me.
I had expected it would be like playing with gloves on, but felt no difference at all. Maybe it's something else with faster or more complex pieces, where a very small difference would make an impact. But no harm in trying them I'd say, as you can take them off anytime.

[Bob]

Tape or bandaids.  Just cut a thin strip to hold things together.  Let it wear in a bit so it doesn't catch the keys strangely.  The weird part is not being able to feel the key but that wears off after a while too.

It's bad when your finger starts bleeding while you're playing.  You really can't stop, but then your smearing blood all over the keys too.  I did that once.  And then you have to scrub dried blood off the keys.  Fun.   Bring extra bandaids or tape.


There's superglue too.  I think they specifically make something to glue up cracked fingers and nails. 

Or depending on how it is.  Heat up a metal object and cauterize it yourself.  That's more to stop blood though.

Vitamin E or neoporin can help it heal faster, but not much by tomorrow.

[chopin2015]

little pieces of tape(not sure if matte or slick would work better) sounds like it might be a good idea....

[outin]

I have an audition tomorrow, and I was freaking playing basketball and my nail split a little.

So I decided to cut it all the way down.

Bad idea. 

Now it hurts more than before!

So how the heck do I fix this problem by tomorrow?

Or should I just muscle it through my audition and take the pain?

You got good advice, but one more thing...use  something to desinfect it a couple of times a day, because if it gets infected it will REALLY hurt. I usually soak my finger in alchohol based desinfection liquid or use chlorhexin.

[drazh]

1cm 3M microprous   paper tape   is a good option
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&tbo=d&site=webhp&tbm=isch&oq=+3m+paper+tape&gs_l=img.12..0i24l3.6655.21918.0.23484.14.14.0.0.0.0.599.4516.3-7j3j1.11.0.ernk_timediscountc..0.0...1.1.2.img.a_lbDG_qx3w&q=3m%20paper%20tape&biw=800&bih=1280&sei=bwMYUYiQDMXIswbQ7YGwCQ#biv=i|1;d|6DGLxx9k0_2ubM:

[lonelagranger]

I've cut my finger nail to short also.  It really hurt when I played.  I tried the bandaid and it helped, but the best solution for me was superglue.  It sealed the wound and i was able to play with no pain.  It kept the skin together so it would heal fast.  You can also just apply the superglue to a very small area of the finger and it allows playing with no problem.

This has been my experience.  It may not be something you want to do.  I have don't it a number of times with no ill effects.  I am 66 years old and my hands get dry and the fingers split in the winter time.  The superglue was the only thank the worked well for me.

My brother-in-law is 64 and suffers the same think, although he is not a pianist.  However, he works in nuclear Medicine at a major hospital in our area and he went to the nurse for help and she fixed it with superglue.  Go figure.  If it is is good enough for Lorain County Community Hospital it is good enough for me.