Kim I had very similar to what ur describing after I broke half a nail off on my cripsy-side hand. It lasted for about a month, and I worried constantly that it was spread or worsening. In the end it wasn't, and from that and other dramas I've had, I've learnt that when you injure yourself anywhere, your system is now on CRPS High Alert, and overreacts to everything. So for a short time you get a lot of cripsy symptoms, but most of the time they do fade with time. The best thing is to...

a) DON'T PANIC
b) take your 500mg vitamin C daily
c) do warm epsom baths daily
d) keep it moving gently
e) DON'T PANIC

Bram.