Psoriasis-Ltd III

Glossary: P

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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.

Palmar Dermatitis: (also known as Palmar Eczema)affects the backs of the hands, the palms or both sites. Often it starts as a mild intermittent complaint, but the symptoms become increasingly severe and persistent. The affected skin initially becomes red and dry, then progresses to itchy papules (bumps) and fluid-filled blisters, scaling, cracking, weeping and swelling. Bacterial infection can result in pustules, crusting and pain. Chronic dermatitis at the ends of the fingers may result in deformed nails. Hand dermatitis can spread to affect other sites, particularly the forearms and feet.

Palmar-plantar psoriasis: psoriasis occuring on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, characterized by symptoms of redness, thickening and peeling of the skin, blistering is often present. May prevent patient from opening and closing hands thus leading to a disability.

Pandel®: by Savage, (hydrocortisone probutate) is a medium potency topical corticosteroid

Panmycin®: an oral antibiotic often prescribed for the treatment of rosacea. Also sold under the brand name(s): Tetracycline, Tetracyn®, Robitet®, Achromycin V®, Sumycin®

Papule: : small raised bumps that may open when scratched, becoming crusty and infected. Commonly occurs in atopic dermatitis and rosacea.

Pastes: Ointments in which powder is suspended. Pastes are drying and less greasy ointments.

Pediamycin®: Oral antibiotic used in the treatment of infections. Also sold under the brand name(s): Erythrocin® (Oral), Eryc®, E.E.S.®, E-Mycin®, Erythromycin® (Oral), Ilosone® , Robimycin®

Pediculoides ventricosus: grain itch.

Pedopompholyx (Dyshidrotic Dermatitis of the feet): also known as dyshidrotic eczema or vesicular eczema of the hands and/or feet. It may be caused by abnormal sweating. The condition may be mild with symptoms of mild peeling, or very severe with big blisters and cracks which prevent work. The first (acute) stage shows symtpoms of tiny blisters (vesicles) deep in the skin, associated with itching and a burning feeling. The later and more chronic stage shows more severe symptoms of peeling, cracking, or crusting.

Peri-oral dermatitis: a common skin problem that mostly affects young women. Occasionally men or children are affected. Perioral refers to the area around the mouth, and dermatitis indicates redness of the skin. In addition to redness, the symptoms include small red bumps or even pus bumps and mild peeling.

Photoallergic Dermatitis: a rash seen as small, reddish blisters or small or large spots in areas that have been exposed to sunlight. Some areas, for example, the face, can be spared. This rash usually appears after minutes' or hours' exposure to the sun or ultra-violet lighting from light therapy or a tanning bed. It can be extremely itchy.

Photocontact Eczema: allergic contact eczema caused by the action of sunlight on skin sensitized by contact with a substance capable of causing this reaction, such as a halogenated salizylanilide, sandalwood oil, or hexachlorophene.

Photoderm: rosacea treatment involving an intense light source, fired at the facial skin to reduce flushing associated with rosacea.

Photophobia: the discomfort of the eyes to light. Alternative names Light sensitivity; Light hurts the eyes; Sensitivity to sunlight

Phototherapy: Treatment with light. exposing the skin to ultraviolet light in carefully controlled doses. Treatment with artificial ultraviolet light.

Phototoxic Dermatitis: erythema followed by hyperpigmentation of sun-exposed areas of the skin, resulting from sequential exposure to agents containing photosensitizing substances, such as coal tar and certain perfumes, drugs, or plants containing psoralens, and then to sunlight.

Pimples: an inflammatory skin condition characterized by symptoms of superficial skin eruptions around hair follicles also called acne vulgaris and/or cystic acne.

Pityriasis Rosea: Term used to define a skin disease. Because of the similar spelling, this disease is sometimes confused with rosacea. (Note: There is no such thing as Pityriasis Rosacea.)

Pityrosporum ovale: a form of yeast that may be a factor in the development of seborrheic dermatitis. This member of the fungus group is quite common and is found on healthy skin. For people with seborrheic dermatitis, when the skin retains oil and scales, this organism grows rapidly and can aggravate the skin condition.

Placebo: a pharmacologically inactive substance with no medicinal value, used as method for "control" in clinical trials.

Plaque: a flattish, raised patch on the skin.

Plaque psoriasis: the most common form of psoriasis, characterized by symtpoms including silvery scales. Psoriasis characterized by frequent episodes of redness, itching, and thick, dry, silvery scales on the skin.

Pompholyx (Dyshidrotic Dermatitis): also known as dyshidrotic eczema or vesicular eczema of the hands and/or feet. It may be caused by abnormal sweating. The condition may be mild with only a little peeling, or very severe with big blisters and cracks which prevent work. The first (acute) stage shows tiny blisters (vesicles) deep in the skin, associated with itching and a burning feeling. The later and more chronic stage show more symptoms of peeling, cracking, or crusting.

Prednicarbate: emollient cream is a medium-potency steroid indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and itching. Also sold under the brand name(s): Dermatop®

Predisposed: susceptible, likely to get.

Primary-irritant eczema: eczema induced by a substance acting as an irritant rather than as a sensitizer or allergen.

Protopic®: (tacrolimus) Ointment Manufactured by Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc. for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis

Pruritus or pruritic: the medical word for itch.

psoralens:An oral medication containing chemicals that increase the skin's reaction to ultraviolet light therapy. Made from the seeds of various plants, psoralens are used to treat psoriasis, eczema and vitiligo.

Psorcon® - manufactured by Dermik; (diflorsone diacetate) topical high to very high potency corticosteroid, cream or ointment recommended for the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. Also sold under the brand name(s): Florone®; Florone E®; Maxiflor®.

Psoriasis: characterized by recurrent symptoms of red scaly patches or lesions. These patches, which are also known as plaques, have a well-defined edge around them. These red plaques are covered with thick white scales. Psoriasis that develops after a strep infection looks like small pinkish skin lesions.

Psoriatic arthritis: a genetically driven autoimmune disease that occurs in less than 10% of persons with psoriasis. Large and small joints are affected. Psoriatic arthritis is often associated with psoriasis in fingernails and toenails.

Pulsed dye laser: used to treat various cancers as well as port wine stains and other vascular lesions. May be used in the treatment of rosacea.

Pus: thick, opaque, yellowish fluid containing white blood cells, tissue debris and microorganisms

Pustular psoriasis: psoriasis characterized by symptoms of blisters of non-infectious pus on the skin (usually hands or feet).

Pustules: small, inflamed, pus-filled, blister-like lesions on the skin surface. Pustules on the skin surface are relatively common occurrences. Pustules are common in acne and rosacea.

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