Glossary terms are listed in alphabetical order. Please select the first letter of the term you want. Or select ALL.
Acitretin: A prescription medication for psoriasis that belongs to the class known as oral retinoids. It is a synthetic form of vitamin A.
Acute: A disease or condition that comes on suddenly or progresses rapidly.
Adalimumab: A type of TNF-alpha blocker, a class of prescription medications that can be used to treat psoriasis.
Alefacept: A type of T-cell blocker, a prescription medication that can be used to treat psoriasis.
Amevive®: A brand of alefacept, a T-cell blocker prescription medication that can be used to treat psoriasis. Amevive® is a registered trademark of Astellas US LLC.
Anemia: The condition of having less than the normal number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. The oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is, therefore, decreased.
Anthracene derivatives: A class of prescription medication that can be use on the skin or scalp, alone or with other treatments.
Anti-inflammatory: A medication used to relieve swelling, redness or pain caused by infection, injury or diseases.
Antimetabolic: A medication that inhibits the reproduction of cells.
Antipsoriactic: A medication used to treat psoriasis.
Arthritis: Inflammation of a joint. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness and pain.
Autoimmune disease: A disease in which the immune system attacks or destroys a person’s own tissue.
Bacterial: Of or pertaining an infection caused by a bacteria.
Biopsy: A sample of tissue that is taken for the purposes of diagnosis.
Blood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It consists of two numbers. The first is called the systolic pressure and is measured after the heart contracts. It is the higher of the two numbers. The second is called the diastolic pressure is measured when the heart muscle is relaxed (i.e., before it contracts). It is the lower of the two numbers. A normal blood pressure is about 120 (systolic) over 80 (diastolic) mmHg. High blood pressure is known as hypertension.
Calcipotriene: A type of vitamin D analog, a prescription medication that can be applied to the skin to treat psoriasis.
Cell: The basic “building block” of our bodies. Each cell is a small container of certain structures, chemical and water wrapped in a membrane. Cells also contain strands of DNA — our genetic blueprint.
Chronic stable plaque psoriasis: The most common form of psoriasis, it is characterized by red lessons and silvery white scales on the skin. It can occur anywhere on the body but is most common on the knees, lower back, elbows and scalp. The plaque tends to be symmetrical, meaning that it appears in the same area on both sides of the body.
Cyclosprorine: An immunosuppressant drug that can be used to treatment psoriasis.
Cormax®: A brand of prescription topical steroid, and can be applied directly to psoriatic lesions. Cormax® is a registered trademark of Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Corticosteroid: Man-made medications that resemble cortisone, a hormone produced by the body. They are used to treat inflammation and helps to relieve pain and stiffness.
Cream: A water-soluble preparation applied to the skin. An ointment differs from a cream in that it has an oil base.
Cutaneous: Pertaining to the skin.
Cytokines: Chemical messengers in the body that are involved in cell-to-cell communication.
Cytotoxic: A medication that works by binding to and inhibiting an enzyme involves in the rapid growth of cells.
Dermatitis: A term referring to inflammation, itching, redness and swelling of the skin.
Dermatop®: A brand of prescription topical steroid, and can be applied directly to psoriatic lesions. Dermatop® is a registered trademark of Sanofi-Aventis Inc
Dermis: The layer beneath the upper layer (epidermis) of the skin.
Depression: An illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. Appropriate treatment can help most people with depression.
Dermovate®: A brand of prescription topical steroid, and can be applied directly to psoriatic lesions. Dermovate® is a registered trademark of Taro Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Diabetes: A condition involving the regulation of sugar (glucose) in the blood. There are three main types of diabetes: type 1 (in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin), type 2 (in which the pancreas produces insulin but the body cannot use it effectively), and gestational diabetes (a form of diabetes that develops during a small proportion of pregnancies and may go away after delivery).
Diagnosis: The identification of an illness or condition.
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS): Medications prescribed to people with severe psoriatic arthritis. An example is Methotrexate.
Dithranol: An anthracene derivative, a non-prescription medication that can be used to treat psoriasis.
Dovobet®: A brand of vitamin D analog, a prescription medication that can be applied to the skin to treat psoriasis. Dovobet® is a registered trademark of LEO Pharma Inc.
Dovonex®: A brand of vitamin D analog, a prescription medication that can be applied to the skin to treat psoriasis. Dovonex® is a registered trademark of LEO Pharma Inc.
Emollient: A substance containing fat or oil that soothes and softens the skin.
Enbrel®: A brand of the prescription medication etanercept, a TNF-alpha blocker. Enbrel® is a registered trademark of Immunex Corporation.
Epidermis: The outermost layer of the skin.
Erythrodermic psoriasis: The most severe form of psoriasis, this form affects 100% or nearly 100% of the body surface area, leaving little or no normal skin left. It is characterized by red, peeling skin that may burn or itch. It can be triggered by the use of certain medications (e.g., corticosteroids), by severe sunburn, or by other types of psoriasis that have not been treated appropriately.
Etanercept: A type of TNF-alpha blocker prescription medication that can be used to treat psoriasis.
Fatigue: Severe weakness or tiredness that is not relieved by rest. Fatigue can be acute and come on suddenly or chronic and persist.
Flare or flare-up: A sudden worsening of psoriasis symptoms.
Folliculitis: An inflammation of the hair follicles (the lining of the hair shaft).
Gene: The basic biological unit of heredity composed of segments of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
Goekerman Regimen: a Treatment for psoriasis that uses coal tar and ultraviolet B light.
Guttate psoriasis: A type of psoriasis characterized by drop-shaped lesions on the trunk, arms, legs or scalp. It tends to affect people under the age of 30 and the type most often seen in children. It is sometimes triggered by a bacterial infection.
High blood pressure: Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is, by definition, having a blood pressure that is consistently higher than 140 over 90 mmHg — a systolic pressure above 140 with a diastolic pressure above 90.
Humira®: A brand of the medication adalimumab, a TNF-alpha blocker prescription medication. Humira® is a registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories, Limited.
Hydroxyurea: A drug that inhibits the synthesis of DNA and so is classified as an antimetabolite. It is used to treat a number of diseases, including some forms of cancer and blood disorders.
Immune system: A complex system that is responsible for protecting us against infections and foreign substances. The immune system works to seek and kill invaders.
Immunosuppressants: A class of drugs that suppress the immune system.
Inflammation: Swelling, redness heat and pain of tissue because of injury or disease.
Infliximab: A type of TNF-alpha blocker prescription medication that can be used to treat psoriasis.
Inverse psoriasis: Also called flexural psoriasis, a form of psoriasis found in folds of the skin, such as the armpits, groin, under the breasts and around the genitals and buttocks. This form of psoriasis appears as smooth, dry areas of skin that are red and inflamed but do not have the scaling associated with plaque psoriasis. Inverse psoriasis is more frequent and severe in people who are overweight because the skin folds are prone to irritation from rubbing and sweating.
Keratin: The strong, fibrous protein that is the major component of skin, hair and nails.
Keratolytics: Over-the-counter agents that help soften the skin and remove scales.
Methotrexate: A prescription medication for psoriasis that belongs to the cytotoxic class of medicines. This class is also referred to as DMARDS.
Nail psoriasis: Several types of psoriasis can affect the fingernails and toenails. In fact, about half the people with psoriasis will experience some nail changes. Symptoms can include pitting or holes in the nails, “lifting” of the nail from the nail bed (onycholysis), thickening of the nail, or discolouration of the nail (usually to yellow or brown).
Neoral®: A brand of cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant prescription medication that can be used to treat psoriasis. Neoral® is a registered trademark of, or used under license by, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.
Nerisalic®: A brand of corticosteroid, a anti-inflammatory prescription medication that can be used to treat psoriasis. Nerisalic® is a registered trademark of Bayer Schering Pharma Inc.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS): Medication used to reduce pain and swelling.
Ointment: A medication preparation that is applied topically (onto the skin) and is oil-based. Creams are also topical agents but are water-soluble.
Oral retinoid: A class of medication that is synthetic version of vitamin A. They can affect how fast cells multiply and can be used to treat psoriasis.
Over-the-counter medication: Drugs or products sold in pharmacies and stores that do not require a prescription from a licensed health care professional. They are also referred to as non-prescription medications.
Photosensitivity: An abnormal sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.
Phototherapy: Treatment of the skin with ultraviolet light.
Pigmentation: The coloring of the skin, hair, mucous membranes, and retina of the eye.
Plaque psoriasis: The most common form of psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis can appear on any skin surface, although the knees, elbows, scalp, trunk and nails are the most common locations. It is characterized by well-defined patches of red raised skin. The flaky silvery white buildup on top of the plaques is called scale; it is composed of dead skin cells. This scale comes loose and sheds constantly from the plaques. Skin affected with psoriasis is generally very dry, and other possible symptoms include skin pain, itching and cracking. The technical name for plaque psoriasis is psoriasis vulgaris (vulgaris means common).
Prescription medication: a medication that requires a prescription from a licensed health care provider, usually a physician or a nurse practitioner-extended care. Prescription medications are typically dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.
Prevalence: refers to the number of people in a population that have a certain disease or condition at a specific point in time.
Pruritus: The medical term for itching.
Psoralen: An oral medication that contains chemicals that increase the skin’s reaction to ultraviolet light therapy.
Psoriasis: A common, autoimmune disease that results in areas of reddish or scaly plaque over different parts of the body.
Psoriasis vulgaris: The medical name for the most common form of psoriasis. It is also called plaque psoriasis because of the characteristic plaques on the skin: well-defined patches of red raised skin that can appear on any area of skin, although the knees, elbows, scalp, trunk and nails are the most common locations. The flaky silvery white buildup on top of the plaques is called scale; it is composed of dead skin cells. This scale comes loose and sheds constantly from the plaques. Skin affected with psoriasis is generally very dry, and other possible symptoms include skin pain, itching and cracking.
Psoriatic arthritis: A form of arthritis that causes inflammation, swelling and pain in and around the joints, particularly the wrists, knees, ankles, fingers and toes. It can also affect the back and the tissues surrounding the joints. Joint inflammation associated with psoriasis. There are two forms of psoriatic arthritis: one that develops slowly and affects less than five joints and a second, more serious form of the disease that affects five or more joints at the same time.
Pus: A thick whitish-yellow fluid which results from the accumulation of white blood cells (WBCs), liquefied tissue and cellular debris. Pus is commonly a site of infection or foreign material in the body.
Pustular psoriasis: A type of recurring psoriasis characterized by the appearance of (non-infectious) pus-filled pimples and sores in clusters. There are two types of pustular psoriasis. The first is more common and involves only the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. In this form, red areas are studded with a mixture of new yellow pus spots and older, brown dried-up spots. This type is slow to clear and can be difficult to treat. The second type is more widespread and can affect any part of the skin. Sometimes, pustular psoriasis is accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, weight loss and fatigue.
PUVA: PUVA stands for psoralen (P) and ultraviolet A (UVA) therapy in which the patient is exposed first to psoralens (drugs containing chemicals that react with ultraviolet light) and then to UVA light.
Rash: Breaking out (eruption) of the skin. Medically, a rash is referred to as an exanthem.
Recalcitrant: Stubbornly resistant to treatment.
Remicade®: A brand name of the prescription medication infliximab, a TNF-alpha blocker that can be used to treat psoriasis. Remicade® is a registered trademark of Centocor, Inc.
Remission: A period of reduced symptoms.
Salicylic acid: A substance obtained from plants (white willow back and wintergreen leaves) or manufactured synthetically that has bacteria and fungus-killing properties, softens the skin and helps to remove scale.
Sandimmune®: A brand of cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant prescription medication that can be used to treat psoriasis. Sandimmune® is a registered trademark of, or used under license by, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.
Scaling: Abnormal shedding or accumulation of an upper layer of skin (the stratum corneum).
Side effects: Known and frequently experienced reactions to a medication.
Skin: The skin is the body’s outer covering. It protects us against heat and light, injury, and infection, helps to regulate body temperature and stores water, fat, and vitamin D.
Soriatane®: A brand of acitretin, a prescription oral retinoid (synthetic vitamin A) that can be used to treat psoriasis. Soriatane® is a registered trademark of Actavis Group PTC.
Stelara™: A brand of Immunomodulating agent, a prescription biologic that can be used to treat psoriasis. Stelara™ is a trademark used under license by Janssen-Ortho Inc.
Steroid: A general class of chemical substances that are structurally related to one another and share the same chemical structure.
Streptococcus: A group of bacteria, familiarly known as strep, that cause a multitude of diseases, such as strep throat, pneumonia, scarlet fever, rheumatic fever and others.
Sunburn: Inflammation of the skin that develops caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or from tanning beds and booths that emit UV radiation. Sunburn is characterized by reddened, painful skin that may develop blisters.
Systemic: Affecting the entire body. A systemic disease such as diabetes can affect the whole body. Systemic chemotherapy employs drugs that travel through the bloodstream and reach and affect cells all over the body.
T cell: A type of white blood cell that is of key importance to the immune system and is at the core of adaptive immunity, the system that tailors the body’s immune response to specific pathogens.
T-cell blocker: A class of medications that work by blocking activation of T-cells.
Tars: Over-the-counter shampoo or topical solutions that can be used to treat psoriasis.
Tazorac®: A brand of prescription, topical vitamin A derivative that can be used to treat psoriasis. Tazorac® is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.
Therapy: The treatment for a disease or condition.
Tissue: A broad term that is applied to any group of cells that perform specific functions.
TNF-alpha blocker: A class of prescription medications that blockers or dampens the action tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a substance that regulates immune cells.
Topical: Pertaining to the surface of the skin. Topical medications are applied to the skin.
Topical steroids: Prescription creams or ointments that contain steroids and can be applied directly to psoriatic lesions.
Topicort®: A brand of prescription topical steroid and can be applied directly to psoriatic lesions. Topicort® is a registered trademark of Sanofi-Aventis Inc.
Trigger: Something that either sets off a disease in people who are genetically predisposed to developing the disease, or that causes a certain symptom to occur in a person who has a disease.
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF): formally known as tumor necrosis factor-alpha. A cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and is a member of a group of cytokines that all stimulate the acute phase reaction.
Ultraviolet A (UVA): One of the three types of invisible light rays (together with ultraviolet B and ultraviolet C) given off by the sun.
Ultraviolet B (UVB): One of the three types of invisible light rays (together with ultraviolet A and ultraviolet C) given off by the sun.
Unstable psoriasis: If the psoriasis loses the clear-cut sharp edges common to chronic stable plaque, it is referred to as unstable psoriasis. Sometimes, the plaques enlarge and even join up. Or new areas of plaque may appear.
Viral: Of or pertaining to a virus.
Vitamin D analogs: A class of prescription medication for psoriasis that are a synthetic form of vitamin D.
White blood cell: One of the cells the body makes to help fight infections.
Xamiol®: A brand of vitamin D analog, a prescription medication that can be applied to the skin to treat psoriasis. Xamiol® is a registered trademark of LEO Pharma Inc.
