Dr. Shalu Pal

  • "If you want quality and wonderful service, please go to Dr. Shalu Pal! The patience, care, and true concern that Dr. Pal has for her clients is wonderful. "

    --Seleena J
  • " I was pleasantly surprised by finding a hidden gem within Dr. Pal's office"

    --Naveed
  • "Finally a doctor who is extremely knowledgeable, patient and explains things clearly. She is a wonderful human being who really takes the time to care for your needs. The office has a wonderful atmosphere and the staff are just as helpful as Dr. Pal. "

    --Mikail
  • "I couldn't ask for a better Optometrist. She is a delight to deal with, very patient, helpful and extremely knowledgeable. She was very good with my kids who can be very fussy at times.. And who could ask for a more beautiful location. Highly Recommend! "

    --Natalie M.
  • "My wife and I, highly recommend Dr. Pal. The staff, the service, the merchandise, are all top notch. They really make you feel welcomed. It has been several years since I have been able to see this well !!! You and your staff are the best !!!! "

    --Steve and Maria L.
  • "We barely go to optometrists so when we do, we should look for the best! I am super pleased I chose Dr. Pal\'s office. They were helpful from beginning to end, from booking on the phone to my actual visit. Dr. Pal was very detailed and went in-depth about my eye health. She is very patient and made me feel calm. The optician helped me pick a great pair of glasses, they were genuinely friendly which is a huge bonus."

    --Ahmad S
  • "I have been going to Dr. Pal for several years now. My most recent visit on June 6, 2016 was the best experience there that I have ever had. Firstly, the women on the desk were friendly and efficient - a very good prelude to my examination. Dr. Pal, herself, was, as usual, very thorough and encouraging in her examination. And she puts you at ease before we get into the eyes examination by discussing other things in life. That helps to ease any stress I may have. And they now have a man in the office who does that difficult examination (name of which I do not know!). He is so patient and encouraging and made the exam not so difficult for me this time. After all that, I saw Dr. Pal again before I left and she told me my eyes were good! Even had the news been not so good, I believe that I would be able to handle it because I truly believe that Dr. Pal and her staff would have taken good care of me. I will always go back to Dr. Pal and members of her team because I truly believe"

    --A. Howlett
  • " I have been to a few appointments at Dr. Pal\'s office over the last year for dry eye issues and every time it has been a very positive experience. The 3 receptionists at the front desk are warm and friendly. They are attentive and provide a very high level of customer service. I appreciate that they call me by name and remembered conversations we had at previous visits. I find Dr. Pal to be an excellent practitioner who is very thorough with her exams, has a lovely personality and takes the time to answer any and all questions that may arise. I am happy with the computer glasses I purchased and value the honest opinions I received from the staff when selecting frames. It was refreshing to have multiple opinions on styles and I felt they truly wanted me to walk out with a frame that was best suited to me. I highly recommend Dr. Pal \'s office! As a health care practitioner myself, I think all health care experiences should be this personilzed and friendly!"

    --A. Mclean
Contact Dermatitis



Contents

Introduction

Contact dermatitis is a relatively common skin inflammation caused by direct contact with an irritating substance. There are two different types, known as primary irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.

Nearly everyone has some form of allergy or sensitivity to specific things, but we usually only discover what they are only after being exposed to it and suffering the ill effects. The eyelids and the conjunctiva (the transparent skin covering the white of the eye and lining the insides of the lid) are particularly susceptible to contact dermatitis because they are constantly being exposed to irritants through rubbing or otherwise touching. These tissues are also prone to swelling, because they are thin, loose and have a rich blood supply.


Symptoms

The symptoms and treatment of the two types of contact dermatologists are similar, and include skin redness, swelling, itching, burning and scaling.

Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when a chemical substance causes direct damage to the skin. Typical irritants are acids, alkalis (like drain cleaners), solvents (like acetone in nail polish remover) and strong soaps. Some of these chemicals cause skin changes within a few minutes, but others may require a longer exposure; also, people vary greatly in the sensitivity of their skin to irritants. Even very mild soaps and detergents may irritate the skin of some, especially after frequent or prolonged contact.

Allergic contact dermatitis is a reaction of the body’s immune system to a substance after at least one previous exposure to sensitize the skin. Some people can be sensitized by only one exposure while in other cases it may take many exposures. Once a person has been sensitized, the next exposure will cause symptoms within four to 24 hours, although some people, particularly older people, do not develop a reaction for several days, which makes it difficult to determine exactly what it was that caused it.

Thousands of substances may result in allergic contact dermatitis, the most common ones include:

  • Plant substances like poison ivy or rubber (latex)
  • Antibiotics
  • Fragrances
  • Makeup or its preservatives
  • Metals
  • Fabric softeners or dryer sheets
  • Laundry detergents or bleach
  • Contact lens solutions and solution preservatives

People may use (or be exposed to) the specific substance for years without problems and suddenly develop an allergic reaction. Even ointments, creams and lotions used to treat it can suddenly trigger a reaction.

Treatment

If repeated episodes of contact dermatitis are occurring, allergy patch tests are often recommended. These painless tests help determine what specific substances are causing these symptoms.

Until the substance causing the reaction can be conclusively determined, treatment is to care for the skin irritation and discomfort with cool, damp compresses to the area. These will help soothe itching and burning as well as reduce swelling. (Remember: scratching only makes it worse!)

Avoid soap, lotions or makeup, especially perfumed or scented versions, on the skin around the eyes or face. It is likely that the skin may dry out, but stay away from moisturizers that contain alcohol, and definitely avoid alcohol or antiseptic lotions on the affected area. If your dermatologist or eyecare practitioner prescribes antihistamines or corticosteroid cream to treat the inflammation, follow the directions exactly as prescribed.

The best and simplest treatment method, once it has been established what substance is at fault, is to avoid it. Sometimes this is easier said than done, but it may be worthwhile to seek out alternatives to things currently being used, like makeup or moisturizer.

Both types of contact dermatitis can be frustrating, in trying to determine the cause and in avoiding it in the future. Sometimes, an ordinary household item turns out to be the culprit, which can make it more difficult to avoid it completely, while other episodes may be triggered by more exotic substances that would not be encountered daily.

In either case, however, finding alternative products will be worthwhile, because these inflammations can be very uncomfortable; this is not always just a minor annoyance, but a rather significant event.

If necessary, consult a dermatologist (a specialist in skin disorders) for advice and help in diagnosis and treatment.

 
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