Don’t panic! Rust won’t damage your skillet unless it is left rusty for an extended period of time. Rust just means that part of your skillet wasn’t thoroughly coated with seasoning or you left it wet for too long. After all, rust is just iron oxide and is completely harmless. All you need to do is scrub the rust off with some hot water and an abrasive scouring pad. Dry thoroughly and re-season immediately. No harm done. Always be sure to dry your skillet immediately and completely after it has been exposed to water to avoid rust.