I'm in the building industry brick paving i try to finish at 2.30pm in the summer and work around the weather in winter.
I very rarely miss out on any good days
Basically if your self employed you can almost work the hours you want
I'm going to work Saturday and Monday this week so i can go sailing Wed & Thurs (hopefully)
I'm sure Bluejuice can give you some advice
Get some cream for that itch it sounds quite nasty, seven years i would have gone to the doctors after a week

Good luck with finding the new career