A salt water lake in the Mediterranean
that has been known for centuries for its beneficial effects on
skin diseases, including psoriasis.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA): The double helical structure within the
nucleus of cells which carries the genetic or hereditary information from the
Recurring and persistent feelings of hopelessness,
helplessness, despair, and, in some cases, thoughts of suicide.
A skin care specialist physician who specializes in the
diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the skin, hair,
nails, and mucous membranes. The dermatologists have to study further 2-3 years
after their basic medical degree to earn their postgraduate diploma or degree in
Dermatitis : A number of skin conditions characterized by inflammation of the skin.
The cause may be either allergic or infective.
Dermis - The middle layer of skin (between the epidermis and
subcutaneous fat) which is made up of blood vessels, nerve endings, lymph
vessels, hair follicles, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and connective tissue.
Connective tissue of dermis consisting of collagen, elastic tissue and ground
substance formed by fibroblasts , provides the strength of the skin. The dermis
is made up of papillary, adventitial (around the appendages and vessels) and
reticular dermis. The papillary and adventitial dermis consists of fine fibers,
which are loose. The reticular dermis, in contrast, is deeper to the papillary
dermis and is composed of much coarser thick eosinophilic collagen fibers .
Eczema(Syn. Dermatitis.): Eczema is derived from the Greek meaning "a boiling out".
It consists of a group of inflammatory diseases of the skin,
characterized by oozing, crusting, and/or scaling. There is also an
eczema-type psoriasis, which is most common on the hands and feet and
is characterized by itchiness, inflammation, and painful cracks in the skin. Divided into acute, sub acute and chronic variants.
Edema: Swelling of a part of body due to the accumulation
of fluid either inside the cells or in between (intercellular space) the cells.
A topical application prepared of fat or oil that holds the moisture inside
and softens and soothes the skin.
Epidermis: The superficial layers of the skin, consisting of an outer, dead
layer and a deeper, living, cellular layers. Divided into 5 layers: Basal,
spinous, granular, lucid, and stratum corneum or horny layer. The
epidermis is composed of four types of cells, the majority being
keratinocytes and the minority melanocytes, Langerhans cells and neuro-endocrine
cells (Merkel cells). The keratinocytes undergo characteristic changes during
their transit through the
epidermis from the undifferentiated basal cells to fully differentiated
cornified cells. They are arranged in five layers : basal cell layer (stratum
basalis), squamous or prickle cell layer (stratum spinosum), granular cell layer
(stratum granulosum), stratum lucidum and horny cell layer (stratum corneum).
The undersurface of the
epidermis undulates with downward extensions called rete ridges or rete
pegs. They interdigitate with cone-shaped upward projections of the dermis
called dermal papillae.
Lesions on the skin that are usually red, raised, and easily visible.
A form of psoriasis characterized by widespread reddening and
scaling of the skin often accompanied by itching or
pain. Symptoms may be precipitated by severe sunburn, use of
oral steroids, or a drug-related rash.
Erythema is redness of the skin caused by increased blood flow to the
capillaries. There are many causes and manifestations of erythema, including
photosensitivity, erythema multiforme, and erythema nodusum.
Erythema multiforme: Characterized by spots,
blisters, or other lesions on the skin and usually results from a reaction to
medications, infections, or illness.
Erythema nodosum: A form of erythema that is
accompanied by nodules, small round masses, typically on the arms and legs.
Erythrodermic psoriasis (Syn.Exfoliative psoriasis):
The least common form of psoriasis in which the skin of almost the entire body
becomes red and edematous, and may cause difficulty in regulating the body’s
temperature and heart rate.
Excoriation : An abraded area of the skin usually
caused by scratching.
Exocytosis: Migration of inflammatory cells in the epidermis. It is present in various
inflammatory dermatoses such as
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FDA: Food and Drug Administration. One of its
responsibilities includes making sure drugs are safe and efficacious
before being cleared for sale to the public.
Fish oils: Oils derived from fish that are rich in omega-3, a polyunsaturated fat often missing from many people’s diets.
Some studies show that these are beneficial in psoriasis.
Fissure:(Latin fissura, Pl.fissurae) is
a groove, natural division, deep furrow, or cleft found in the brain, spinal
cord, and liver; or a tear in the anus (anal fissure), or a fissure in the foot.
When psoriasis is severe, fissuring can occur in the lesions, especially on the
palms and soles.
Flexural psoriasis (Syn. Inverse psoriasis): Psoriasis that
occurs in the skin folds, such as the arm pits or groin, that can cause significant discomfort.
Folliculitis : An inflammation of the hair follicles due to an infection or irritation.
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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.
Genetic disease: Hereditary diseases transmitted through
Genetics: The study of how diseases, conditions, and traits are inherited
through the genes. e.g.: Cystic Fibrosis, neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis,
lamellar icthyosis etc. Psoriasis has a genetic predisposition in that it runs
in families, and there are 25% chances of children getting psoriasis if one of
the parents has psoriasis.
A psoriasis treatment consisting of
crude coal tar together with UVB phototherapy, usually administered in
a hospital or a psoriasis clinic.
Grattage Test: The test of gently scrapping the surface
of psoriasis lesions to remove the scales revealing fine bleeding points. This
sign is known as Auspitz sign. This is a characteristic sign of
Guttate psoriasis: A variant of psoriasis characterized by
drop-like lesions on the trunk, limbs, and scalp. It may be
triggered by viral respiratory infections or certain bacterial
A way to reduce stress by focusing on suggested mental visualizations.
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Zoster (Syn.Shingles.): A common viral infection of the nerves
caused by varicella zoster virus, characterized by a painful skin rash or
eruption of small blisters on an erythematous base anywhere on the body along
the distribution of a cutaneous nerve.
The study of a tissue specimen by staining it and examining it
under a microscope.
Hand/foot therapy: A treatment for psoriasis that uses
specialized ultraviolet light units on the palms of the hands and soles
of the feet.
Heredity: The transmission of traits from one generation to the next.
Human leukocyte antigen, one of four genetic markers used to assess tissue compatibility.
Natural healing directed at an individual’s physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.
The therapeutic use of an ultraviolet light source in the home, as prescribed by a doctor.
A chemical substance that the body produces to regulate the activity of organs(s) or tissue(s).
Hydroxyurea: One of the older anti-cancer drugs that is
sometimes used in the treatment of psoriasis. When combined with
acitretin, it can become more effective. Either in combination or
alone, its use requires careful blood monitoring.
Hematuria: The finding of blood in the urine.
HLA complex: See 'Major histocompatibility complex'.
Histocompatibility: Literally, the ability of tissues
to get along; in immunology, it means identity in all transplantation
antigens. These antigens, in turn, are collectively referred to as
Hyperkeratosis: Increased thickness of horny layer with or
without increase in the thickness of the granular cell layer.
Hyperplasia (Syn.Hyper proliferation): An increase in number of cells in a tissue. Hyperplasia
may be irregular, psoriasiform, or pseudoepitheliomatous.
Hypoalbuminemia: An abnormally low concentration of
albumin in the blood.
Hypocalcemia: Abnormally low calcium concentration, that
can result in muscle cramps, abdominal cramps, spasms, and hyperactive deep
tendon reflexes. Low blood calcium can be seen in cases of hypoparathyroidism,
low vitamin D intake, pregnancy, osteomalacia and certain kidney diseases.
Normal blood calcium should be in the range of 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dl.
Hypogranulosis: Decreased thickness of granular cell layer seen in conditions such as psoriasis and ichthyosis vulgaris.
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The body’s inability to maintain an intact immune system.
Immune response: The reactions of the immune system to foreign substances.
Immune system: An intricate network of specialized
cells and organs that work together to defend the body against attacks
by foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses.
Immunologic: Pertaining to the immune system.
Immunocompromised: An abnormal condition in which one's ability
to fight infection is decreased. This can be due to a disease process,
certain medications, or a condition present at birth.
Impetigo: A bacterial skin infection characterized by pus-filled blisters.
A characteristic reaction of tissues to injury or disease. It is
marked by four signs: swelling, redness, heat, and pain.
Immunity: The condition of being immune, the protection against infectious
disease conferred either by the immune response generated by immunization or
previous infection or by other nonimmunologic factors.
Inflammation: The protective response of the body’s
tissue to irritation or injury, marked by four signs—swelling, redness,
heat, and pain.
Interferons: Proteins formed when cells are exposed to
a virus or another particle of nucleic acid. Interferons can be used
therapeutically for certain diseases such as psoriasis.
Intergluteal: Between the buttocks.
Interleukins: A group of cytokines(glycoproteins) produced mainly by T cells that direct other cells to divide and
also stimulate the growth and maturation of cells of the immune system.
Inverse psoriasis (Syn. Flexural psoriasis):
Psoriasis that occurs in the skin folds such as the underarm or groin
area, which can cause significant discomfort when one part of the skin
rubs against another. When this occurs in the genital area, it can
cause difficulty with sexual activities.
Incidence of disease: Rate, range or amount of occurrence
or influence of a disease. Also denote number of new years per annum, compared
to prevalence, which is the total number of cases that are present at any given
Inverse Psoriasis: Smooth dry patches that are red and
inflamed, often in the folds or creases of the skin, including under the arms
and in the groin.
Isomorphic response(Syn.Koebner phenomenon): An
isomorphic reaction seen in response to trauma in previously uninvolved sites of
patients with skin diseases including psoriasis and lichen planus, typically
with lesions in a linear pattern at sites of scratching or a scar.
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