a Hand-y update

So I recall that a while back someone asked how my hands were doing. This was no doubt prompted by the nasty picture I posted from this summer. Don't worry, I will post another for your viewing (dis)pleasure.

And here is the long story short(kinda): After something like 4 1/2 years of crazy/gross things going on with my hands someone finally suggested I see an allergist. So back in early December they did a panel of like 50 common ingredients in soaps/lotions/household items. They put a dot of each on my back and covered it with tape. I had it checked twice that week and finally was able to learn what might have been ailing me all this time.

It turns out I am allergic to chloromethylisothiazolinone, formaldehyde (in paints, glues and fabrics), and colophony or resin(in adhesives, varnishes, wart remedies, floss), I'm also sensitive (but not allergic) to something called cocomide DEA (in lots of soaps and lotions). So that chemical with the really long name is in a ton of stuff-in my case it's found in that great anti-bacterial soap from Bath and Body Works that I used to use religiously, it's in my baby wipes, and my shampoo and conditioner. So in the last month I have switched over to some expensive soapless soap and natural hairstuff and I just make my son wear his messy diapers all day (ok not really-he's been in underwear for about a month and when he has a messy diaper after bedtime I wear gloves). So by reading the labels on everything, taking my special soap everywhere and avoiding products with those ingredients and I've seen tons of improvement. It's crazy. So here come the before and after photos (drumroll please):

After:
Now all we have to do is convince the insurance company that they really do want to pay for all of this instead of fight about it...