the pain will go away ...when i was active loooonngg looongg ago.. i played so much until all my fingers got blisters...after while they go numb and get a bit hard, i used to use ernie ball electric strings on my acoustic, abit softer on the hands, acoustic strings were a bit hard for me...as for sound suited me at the time...(me amateur playing for fun only)

also if u slide a lot u can use fast fret.

yeah blood can cause rust really fast coz it's heavy on oxygen...gawd...i am experiencing what the thred starter is experiencing after such a long time in retirement ... been playing all night and my left hand is numb..