Most probably as you have told it seems to be contact dermatitis.Its treatment is: Emollients (moisturisers) If the inflamed skin is not too bad then just using an emollient (moisturiser) frequently may be all that you need until the inflammation settles and the rash clears. Topical steroids Topical steroids are creams, ointments and lotions which contain steroid medicines. They work by reducing inflammation in the skin. They come in different brands and strengths. You should use the mildest one that works. You can buy a mild steroid cream (hydrocortisone) without a prescription from pharmacies. If a mild one does not work, a stronger one can be prescribed by your doctor. Topical steroids are usually applied once or twice twice daily in a thin layer on the affected area until the inflammation has gone. This may take up to a couple of weeks or more. Once the inflammation has gone, stop the topical steroid. You should wait for several minutes after you have used an emollient (moisturiser) before you apply a steroid cream. Short courses of topical steroids (less than four weeks) are usually safe and usually cause no problems. Side-effects may develop if topical steroids are used for long periods, or if short courses are repeated often. The main concern is if strong steroids are used on a long-term basis. Other treatments An antibiotic may be prescribed if the inflammation becomes infected. This is uncommon in most bouts of contact dermatitis. Rarely, a course of steroid tablets is needed if you have a large and severe area of skin inflammation.