I do dry brined smoked salmon not infrequently, but generally only when I find something marked down or miss marked at Kroger. Never had my hands go numb though except from the cold. Is that what you were referring to?
Yes, very cold washing that sludge off under cold water. I haven't seen salmon on cheaper then $7lb in the last year. Used to get some nice sales of $5 at Meijer.