Thanks for the advice, especially seeing as you're in training for the noble profession. I might stop being so stingy and shell out for the hydrocortisone cream if the rash persists, spreads, or the olive oil stops working. Or if I get fed-up with smelling like an Italian restaurant.

I wish you best of luck with your own eczema. Rashes are Not Fun.

Oh, and for the record, I live in Canada not the US, and our health care isn't half so awesome as some people seem to think (though it's better than a lot of places so I mustn't complain).