This is only a partial list of the possible words used to describe Psoriasis.  Psoriasis is a disease of the skin.  It is one of those chronic skin disease characterized by inflammation and scaling.  The scaling occurs when cells in the outer layer of skin reproduce faster than normal and pile up on the skin's surface.  It is understood, by doctors, to be a disorder of the immune system and not really a skin disorder, it is just the what we common folk think of it. 

• AAD - The abbreviation of the American Academy of Dermatology, a health care professional association
• Acitretin - The generic name for the prescription bran Soriatane.  This is a synethic derivative of vitamin A that is taken orally.  It is given to severe psoriasis in adults.
• Anthralin - A prescription drug that is used topically in the treatment of Psoriasis.  It is often used in a combination with UV light, which is known as the Ingram method.
• Antigen - A substance, usually a protein, that activates an immune response and produces antibodies. 

• Beta-Blockers - Medications that lower the heart rate and are commonly prescribed for lowering blood pressure, relieving angina, or treating congestive heart failure.  These drugs are thought to trigger or aggravate Psoriasis in some people.
• Biologic Therapies - Medical preparations derived from living organisms.  In Psoriasis, this category of pharmaceuticals targets the immune system.
• Biopsy - The removal of a small piece of body tissue for examination under a microscope.
• Bitumen - A form of natural tar, which may be used to treat Psoriasis

• Chronic Condition - A condition that is marked by long duration or frequent recurrence.
• Clobetasol Propionate - Corticosteroid applied topically for relief of inflammation and itching.
• Corticosteroid - A synthetic hormone similar to that produced naturally by the adrenal glands that is avaliable in pill, topical, and injectable forms.
• Cytokines - Proteins secreted by various types of cells and involved in cell-to-cell communication.

• Dermatologist - A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that effect the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes.
• Distal Interphalangeal Joints - The small joints of the fingers closest to the nails.
• DNA - The abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid, which carries genetic information in cells
• Durable Medical Equipment - A term used by insurance companies for medical apparatuses.  In the case of Psoriasis, some polices may classify phototherapy equipment for home use in this category

• Eczema - An inflammatory disease of the skin, characterized by oozing, crusting, and/or scaling.
• Emollient - An agent that holds moisture in the skin and by doing so softens or soothes it.
• Empathy - The ability to recognize and share the emotions of another person.
• Exfoliate Psoriasis - the same as Erythrodermia Psoriasis which is the least common form of Psoriasis in which the skin of almost the entire body becomes red and fiery, accompanied with pain anmd itching and may cause difficulty regulating the body's temperature and heart rate.  People with this type of Psoriasis are more likely to require hospitalization than people with other types of Psoriasis.

• FDA - Abbreviation for the Food & Drug Adminstration
• Fish Oils - Oils derived from fish that are rich in omega-3, a polyunsaturated fat often missing from many people's diets.
• Folklore - A body of popular but unsubstantiated or false beliefs not believed to be valid by medical doctors.
• Food Supplements - Substances with potential health benefits that are added to the diet.

• 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 D NA.  They govern every body function and determine inherited traits passed from parent to child.
• Gene Therapy - The injection of healthy genes into the bloodstream for the purpose of curing a hereditary disease.
• Goeckerman Regimen - A Psoriasis treatment consisting of crude coal tar together with UVB phototherapy, usually administrated in a hospital or a Psoriasis clinic.
• Guided Imagery - A way to reduce stress by focusing on suggested mental visualizations

• Hand/Foot Therapy - A treatment for Psoriasis that uses specialized UV light units on the palms and soles of the feet
• Heredity - The transmission of traits from one generation to the next
• HMO - Health maintenance organization, providing people with financial alternatives to fee-for-service health care.
• Home Phototherapy - The therapeutic use of a UV light source in the home, as prescribed by a doctor

• Idiosyncrasy - In terms of medications this is an individual's unique allergic reaction to a particular drug.
• Immune Deficiency - The body's inability to maintain an intact immune system
• Interferon - Proteins that are produced by infected cells and released to induce an immune response
• Intergluteal - Between the buttocks

• Keratin - Any of the family of proteins that form the primary chemical components of the skin, hair and nails.
• Keratinocytes - The cells in the epidermis that manufacture the fibrous protein called keratin
• Keratolytic - A substance that beaks down keratin.  This is in the skin, it promotes the softening and peeling of the epidermis
• Keys (disabling) - Special keys designed to prevent unauthorized use of home UV light units

• LCD - Liquor carbonis detergent, a tar preparation used to treat Psoriasis
• Lesion - An abnormal change, usually well defined, in the structure of an organ or part of the body caused by injury or disease
• Liver Biopsy - Taking a tiny specimen of liver for microscopic study by inserting a needle.
• Lymphocytes - Cells of the body that form the basics of an individual's immune system.

• Milk Thistle - A herbal medicine believed to improve liver function.  A milk thistle is a round deep pink spiked flower with leopard like green leafs
• Modified Goeckerman Regimen - An out-patient treatment that employs less tar or ointment than the standard Goeckerman Regimen
• Monoclonal Antibody - An antibody produced in a laboratory from a single clone that recognizes only one antigen
• Multifactoral - Resulting from multiple factors interacting together

• Narcissistic - Being overly focused on one's appearance
• Narrow-Band UVB - Ultraviolet light in a narrow band 311nm to 313 nm is the newest form of light therapy; thought to be more effective, faster acting, and may be safer than other UV light treatments
• National Psoriasis Foundation - A consumer advocacy group
• Naturopathy - A form of therapy based on the belief that all disease is caused by excess toxins in the body

• Oral - Relating to the mouth
• Oral Medication - Medication you take by inserting into your mouth.
• Oral Toleration - A treatment in which a foreign protein is ingested in an attempt to develop a tolerance to it.
• Over-the-Counter - also known as OTC - nonprescription medication that you can purchase in any drug store or any store carrying this type of medication

• Palmer Planter Psoriasis - Any form of Psoriasis that is located on the palms and/or soles of the feet
• Photosensitivity - Increased sensitivity to the sun's light or other UV sources
• Plaques - Patches of thickened and reddened skin covered by silvery scales
• Psychodynamics - The motivational and emotional forces, conscious and unconscious, that shape a person's behavior and attitudes.

• Retinoids - Prescription vitamin A derivatives often used in topical or oral Psoriasis therapy
• Rheumatoid Arthritis - A chronic auto immune disease characterized by pain,stiffness, inflammation, swelling and sometimes destruction of joints
• Rheumatologist - A medical doctor specializing in the treatment of arthritis and related diseases

• Skin Biopsy - Taking a small piece of skin to be examined under a microscope.  This procedure is usually performed with the aid of a local anesthetic and helps a dermatologist diagnose the type of skin disorder a patient has
• Steroids - In reference to corticosteroids a synethic hormone similar to that produced naturally by the adrenal glands that is available in pill, topical and injectable forms
• Streptococcal sore throat - also known as Strep Throat - This is a type of bacterial infection of the throat that in susceptible individuals may trigger the onset of Psoriasis, usually in the form called Guttate Psoriasis

• Tars - Natural sticky substances used to treat Psoriasis as in cial tar shampoos, topical creams and ointments
• Tazzarotene - The generic name for the prescription brand vitamin A topical drug Tazorac that is used for the treatment of Psoriasis
• Topical Agent - A treatment such as a cream, salve or ointment that is applied to the surface of the skin.
• Toxicity - The potential of a drug or treatment to cause harmful side effects of taking the drug or treatment

• Ultraviolet UV light - The tpe of light that emanates directly from the sun.  It is classified into 3 categories according to wavelength: UVC, UVB,  and UVA.  Ultraviolet light can also be simulated using light panels and light boxes.  This is a popular treatment for Psoriasis
• UVB Photography - Treatment involving measured doses of UV light in the UVB wavelength.  Two types are broadband UVB and the less common narrow-band UVB.  This is used for moderate to severe Psoriasis, UVB treatment can reduce the abnormal growth of skin cells and can lessen inflammation

• Visualization - A technique thought to aid in self-relaxation and stress reduction that depends upon the ability to imagine oneself in a calmer, less stressful situation.  In some cases this can include picturing oneself in a symptom-free state
• Vitamin A - Derivatives of this vitamin are called retinoids are ae used in its oral and topical forms to treat Psoriasis
• Vitamin D3 - A topical vitamin used to treat Psoriasis

• Yoga - A program of stretching and relaxation that can help reduce stress

• Zinc - A natural element often found in multiple vitamin tablets or solid on its own as tablets or cream for a variety of conditions including Psoriasis

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