Glossary of common Psoriasis Terms
A
Anti-inflammatory – A medication used to relieve swelling, redness and pain caused by infection, injury or disease.
Anthralin – A refined derivative of anthracene, originally from tree bark. The strongest anthralins are used in hospital or day treatment centers.
Antibodies – Special proteins, produced by the body’s immune system, that help fight and destroy viruses, bacteria and other foreign substances that invade the body.
Antipsoriactic – Medicine used for treating psoriasis.
Autoimmune disease – A disease in which the immune system destroys or attacks a person’s own tissue.
B
Bioavailability – The degree to which a drug or other substance becomes available to the target body tissue after administration.
C
Calcipotriol – A synthetic form of vitamin D3 used for the treatment of mild-to-moderate psoriasis. Brand name Dovonex.
Chronic –A medical condition of long duration. The term has nothing to do with the seriousness of the condition.
Corticosteroids – A group of cortisone like molecules secreted by the adrenal gland. Most often refers to their man made equivalents.
Cutaneous – Pertaining to the skin.
Cytokines – Chemical messengers in the body that help direct and regulate response and are involved in cell-to-cell communication.
D
Dermatitis – Inflammation (itching, redness, swelling and other symptoms) of the skin.
Dermis – The layer of skin beneath the epidermis.
E
Efficacy – Ability to produce the desired effect. Example: Prescription drugs are tested for safety and efficacy.
Emollient – A substance composed of fat or oil that soothes and softens the skin.
Epidermis – The outermost layer of the skin.
F
Flare – An abrupt worsening of psoriasis. Example: Psoriasis goes through cycles of flares and remissions.
Folliculitis – An inflammation of the hair follicles (the lining of the hair shaft).
G
Gene – A unit of inheritance that contains the instructions, or code, that a cell uses to make a specific product, usually a protein. Genes are made of a substance called DNA. They govern every body function and determine inherited traits passed from parent to child.
Goekerman Regimen – Use of coal tar and subsequent ultraviolet B light in a Day Treatment Center.
Genetics – The science of understanding how diseases, conditions and traits are inherited.
Guttate psoriasis – A form of psoriasis characterized by drop-like lesions on the trunk, limbs and scalp. Symptoms may be triggered by viral respiratory infections or certain bacterial (streptococcal) infections.
H
Histologic examination – The study of a tissue specimen by staining it and examining it under a microscope.
Hydration – A gain of water or moisture.
I
Immune response – The reactions of the immune system to foreign substances.
Immunosuppressive – A drug that reduces the body’s natural immunity.
Immune system – A complex network of specialized cells and organs that work together to defend the body against attacks by foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses.
Inflammation – A characteristic reaction of tissues to injury or disease. It is marked by four signs – swelling, redness, heat and pain.
Inpatient – A patient admitted to the hospital for treatment.
Inverse psoriasis – Psoriasis involving primarily skin folds such as the armpits, under the breasts and the groin. Also called “flexural.”
K
Keratin – A strong, fibrous protein that is the major component of skin, hair and nails.
Keratinocyte – The skin cell that produces keratin, which constitutes 95% of the epidermis (protective outer layer of the skin).
Keratolytics – Agents that help soften the skin and remove scales.
M
Macerate – To soften by soaking.
Methotrexate (MTX) – A prescription systemic medication used to treat extensive or disabling psoriasis. Initially used to treat cancer, MTX in low doses is effective in slowing cell production and decreasing inflammation.
O
Oral – Pertaining to the mouth. An oral medication is taken by the mouth.
Outpatient – A patient who visits a hospital or clinic for diagnosis/treatment but is not admitted overnight.
Over-the-counter (OTC) – Refers to medication that can be purchased without a doctors prescription.
P
Photosensitivity – An abnormal sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.
Phototherapy – Treatment of the skin with ultraviolet light.
Phototoxicity – Condition of heightened sunburn response resulting from exposure to ultraviolet light.
Placebo – A substance having no medication that is administered for its psychological effect on a patient. Used as a control in an experiment.
Plaque – Any elevated area of psoriasis.
Prescription – A written direction from a physician for the preparation and administration of a remedy. Required for the purchase of certain medications.
Proliferation – Rapid growth and reproduction of parts, such as cells.
Psoralen – A photosensitizing chemical administered orally to increase the skins reaction to light for a therapeutic effect.
Psoriasis day treatment center – Facility in which complex psoriasis treatments such as the Goeckerman regimen can be administered on an outpatient basis.
Pustular psoriasis – Characterized by white pustules (blisters of non-infectious pus) surrounded by red skin. Affects fewer than 5% of psoriasis sufferers.
PUVA – An acronym for the use of psoralen plus ultraviolet A light; used to treat psoriasis and some other conditions.
R
Recalcitrant – Stubbornly resistant to treatment. Example: Recalcitrant psoriasis.
Remission – A period of reduced symptoms; opposite of flare.
S
Salicylic acid – Medication used to help remove excess scales from the skin.
Seborrheic Dermatitis – Dermatitis of the scalp, face, ears and sometimes the chest. Mild cases are known as dandruff.
Stratum corneum – Outermost layer of the epidermis, composed mainly of keratin.
Striae – Linear scar-like portions of skin, commonly called “stretch marks.” May occur from prolonged use of topical steroids.
Superpotent – The highest strength classification of corticosteroids (Class 1.)
Systemic – Pertaining to or affecting the whole body. Systemic medications are ingested or injected into the body.
Systemic treatment – A treatment such as a pill, that is taken internally.
T
Tazarotene – A topical vitamin A derivative (retinoid) for stable plaque psoriasis and acne. Brand name Tazorac.
Therapeutic – Having the power to improve or heal.
Topical – Pertaining to the surface of the skin. Topical medications are applied to the skin.
Toxicity – The potential of a drug or treatment to cause harmful side effects.
T Cell – A type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system and normally helps protect the body against infection and disease. In psoriasis, it also can trigger inflammation and excessive skin cell reproduction.
U
Ultraviolet light – Light rays beyond the visible light spectrum with the capability of producing photobiological effects on the skin.
UVB phototherapy – An artificial light treatment used for mild psoriasis.