Yowza! I was lucky enough to be near my doctor and his wonderful bag of tricks.

Note to self: give doctor's nurse a big "thank you" kiss.
Note #2 to self: keep DW from reading this board for a few days.

Self surgery is not something I'd want to try. That being said, would have burning/melting a hole through your thumbnail to relieve pressure help any? You needed to get the slivers out. I guess cutting away the nail was the only option, probably what a doctor would have done.

Would an irrigation syringe real have helped much?

-Blast