Psoriasis-Ltd III

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This glossary defines commonly used Psoriasis terms, including products and medications used in the treatment of psoriasis and other skin conditions that co-exist with psoriasis such as acne, rosacea, eczema and dermatitis.

National Psoriasis Foundation: A nonprofit organization committed to educating and empowering people in the treatment of the symptoms of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Neurodermatitis: occurs because of repeated scratching, may appear as small, and flat areas (plaques) of various sizes, 1 to 10 inches (2.5 to 25 centimeters) in diameter. These areas have definite margins that have become thick and leatherlike (lichenified). This type of dermatitis is also known as lichen simplex chronicus can occur when something such as a tight garment rubs or scratches your skin. This irritation may lead you to rub or scratch your skin repeatedly. Common locations include ankles, wrist, outer forearm or arm, and the back of your neck.

Neuropeptides: A type of molecule found in nerve tissue (eg, endorphins).

Nickel Allergy Dermatitis: allergic or irritant dermatitis/eczema resulting from contact with nickel. The symptoms are more common in women, because they are more likely to have pierced ears than men, although this is changing. The degree of allergy varies. Some people develop dermatitis (also called eczema) from even brief contact with nickel-containing items, while others develop symptoms only after many years of skin contact with nickel.

Nicotinamide Papulex®: (Pharmagenix) Gel, nicotinamide 4%. A topical treatment for the symptoms of inflammatory acne vulgaris and rosacea.

Nizoral®: a cream which contains as its active ingredient ketoconazole which is an antifungal preparation. It is used to treat seborrheic dermatitis with the rationale that sebborrheic dermatitis is caused by a fungus which lives on everyone's skin and is normally non-pathological.

Nodules: solid, raised bumps on the skin, greater than 10 millimeters in diameter

Non-Comedogenic: (pronounced non-coh-me-dough-jen-ic) refers to anything that will not clog pores or produce comedones, commonly called blackheads

Non-contagious: incapable of being transmitted from person to person.

Noritate: a topical treatment used to treat the symptoms of rosacea. It works due to the anti-inflammatory action of Metronidazole (an antibiotic) which is its active ingredient. Noritate is meant to help reduce the spots and redness of rosacea. It may help to control rosacea, but not cure rosacea. Metronidazole is also the active ingredient in Rozex gel, Metro cream and Metrolotion, but Noritate is less irritating. Its name is short for "no-irritate" (non-irritating).

Novodoxylin®: An oral antibiotic which is used in the treatment of a wide variety of bacterial infections. It is often prescribed as a treatment for rosacea. Also sold under the brand name(s): Vibra-Tabs®, Vibramycin®, Monodox®, Doxycycline®, Doryx®

Nummular Dermatitis: (Discoid Dermatitis) "discoid" or "nummular" dermatitis, which means coin or disc-shaped patches which commonly occur on the lower leg. They can be several centimetres across, or as small as two millimetres. The skin between the patches is usually normal, but may be dry and irritable. Discoid eczema may be extremely itchy, or scarcely noticeable.

Nummular Eczema: another term for nummular dermatitis, also called discoid eczema or gravitational eczema is usually found in adults and appears suddenly as a few coin shaped areas of red skin; normally on the trunk or lower legs. It may look similar to ringworm.

Nutracort ®: (Hydrocortisone) a low potency steroid. Also sold under the brand name(s): Anusol-HC®, Hytone®, Cetacort®, Cortaind®, Locoid®, Cort-Dome®, Cortenema®, Cortifoam®, Lanacort®, Westcort®

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