The results are in and ......

...... I'm allergic to cobalt (strongly), Balsam of Peru (strongly) and Carba mix (weakly).

Cobalt is bad news, partly because I've no way of knowing what I'm touching that contains it, and partly because if I succumb to pernicious anaemia (and I may - vitamin B12 deficiency is quite common in older people) I can't be treated for it as the treatment is cobalt!  So I'm kind of ignoring this one, except that I'll be asking for regular blood tests to check my B12 level.

Carba mix I'm less concerned about.  I should probably not touch anything rubber such as elastic bands, latex gloves and - help - knicker elastic, but it's fairly easy to avoid.

The big problem is Balsam of Peru.  It's everywhere, in cleaning products and personal care products and if that were not bad enough, if one is allergic to it then one is also likely to be allergic to a host of things that form a large part of my diet.  Tomatoes, citrus fruit, the sweet spices (cinnamon, cloves, vanilla etc. Christmas will be very bleak) pickles, chutneys, sauces, anything with "flavouring" as an ingredient is suspect, beer, wine, gin, ice-cream and - chocolate.  Of course they jest.  A future without curry, gin or chocolate?  Shoot me now.

I'm due to go back for a follow-up appointment towards the end of this month, and I'm going to ask for what used to be called a RAST test (no idea what they call it now).  They take your blood and test it for reaction to various foodstuffs so they can give you a list of what you are *definitely* allergic to.

I have my fingers crossed that I'm not allergic to eating any of these things, and that my reactions are purely contact allergies.  It's possible.

My hands are still very fragile and will break out at the slightest provocation.  I am careful with them but probably not careful enough.  You've got to live thought haven't you, and there are many things one cannot accomplish with hands swaddled in cotton wool.

My other plan of attack is to start drinking fresh fruit and vegetable juices, made at home, to boost my immunity and nutritional status.  I've made a start, and jolly tasty it was too.

Apples, red beetroot, golden beetroot, celery, fennel bulb and carrots. 
Very, very good!  Gave me wind though.

I've also ordered some turmeric and will be trying the famous "golden paste" that seems to bring such well-being to the human organism.

If none of that works, I'm stuffed!