I suspect the Compeed stuff might prove a disappointment. It looks very similar to the liquid skin that Germolene (Bayer) sell; acting as a water resistant, yet breathable barriers, against reinfection. Although the germolene stuff dries to form a hard seeming yet flexible crust it is not very tough or well-adhered and tears off fairly easily. Essentially it's not intended to replace stitches / staples for actually holding wounds closed - it's role is to replace plasters and bandages
I think I might have it. I've had a small lump on my palm for a few years now. It is in line with my left hand ring finger, and about 2 cm into my palm.
Re: the Northern Europe angle, I think I understood from yet another climber I know to have it, that the condition is particularly prevalent in populations with strong Scandanavian or even Viking genetic links. In which case, climbers in the North-east should be in for a particularly hard time of it.