Glossary of terms: P

is the abbreviation for pharmacy which appears on licensed medicines. These are only available from or dispensed by a pharmacist.

a physician who specialises in the development and care of infants and children and in the treatment of their diseases.

pertaining to preventive and primary health care and treatment of children and the study of childhood diseases.

a benign tumour which resembles a wart and is normally found on the skin and in the membranes that line the intestinal and urinary tracts.

the process by which psoriatic skin cells continuously form and move upward to the skin surface faster than they can be incorporated into the skin, resulting in them scaling off.

is a person trained to assist medical professionals and to give emergency medical treatment normally outside a hospital setting.

cutaneous skin disease that looks similar to psoriasis (hence para meaning near or similar to), but isn’t psoriasis. Scaly plaques may be evident.

ointments in which powder is suspended.

Primary Care Group.

Primary Care Trust.

Psoriasis Disability Index.

is when inflammation is near to or outside of a joint.

red and purple spots on the skin approximately the size of a pinhead. They are formed by the escape of blood into the skin.

is the name given to the bones that are found in the fingers or toes.

these are commercial companies who research and develop drugs which are used to treat conditions in humans.

is a healthcare professional who is trained to prepare medicines.

treatment with artificial ultraviolet light.

when light therapy and drug therapy are used in combination. Patients with psoriasis that does not respond to or is too widespread for topical treatments are candidates for phototherapy. This involves exposing the skin to wavelengths of UV light, which has a therapeutic benefit in psoriasis. Phototherapy is a standard treatment for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis who have not responded to topical therapies.

is a healthcare professional who is not a surgeon.

the treatment of disorders with physical agents and methods such as massage, manipulation, therapeutic exercises, cold, heat, hydrotherapy and light.

Product Information Leaflet is required to be included in any medicine package and contains information about what the product is for, dosages and side effects etc.

small, punctuate indentations in fingernails or toenails often as a result of psoriasis

an inactive drug with no medicinal value, used as method of ‘control’ in clinical trials.

means inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue (similar to a ligament) that stretches from the heel to the middle bones of the foot.

a flattish, raised, scaly patch on the skin more than 2 cm across and formed by psoriasis.

is characterised by red, silvery-white, scaly skin lesions, accounting for about 80 percent of all cases.

are the smallest cells in the blood formed in the red bone marrow and some are stored in the spleen.

(sometimes known as a chiropodist) is someone who cares for the feet.

is the abbreviation for prescription only medicine which appears on licensed medicines. These are generally prescribed by a doctor or similarly qualified individual, and cannot be bought legally in the UK without a prescription.

is a small opening in the skin allowing moisture to pass in or out.

a  chronic inflammatory eruption of the skin which is normally accompanied by small whitish spots and severe itching.

itching of the skin around the anus or the vulva

is the only measure developed specifically for people with psoriatic arthritis.

The PsARC comprises:

• A patient global self-assessment on a 0–5 Likert scale
• A physician global assessment on a 0–5 Likert scale, with improvement defined as a decrease by at least 1 unit, and worsening defined as an increase by at least 1 unit
• A tender joint score
• A swollen joint score with improvement defined as a decrease of at least 30%, and worsening defined as an increase of at least 30%.

is defined as an improvement in at least two of the four measures, one of which must be the joint tenderness or swelling score, with no worsening in any of the four measures.The PsARC does not include an assessment of psoriasis.

a genetically driven autoimmune disease affecting large and small joints that occurs in less than 10 percent of psoriasis patients

set of rules to be followed.

is someone who has made a special study of psychology.

is the study of the mind and how it works.

pus filled lesions and intense scaling

characterised by pus-like blisters on the skin usually occuring on the hands or feet.

is an inflammatory skin condition typically on the palms of the hands and/or the soles of the feet. With large fluid-filled blisters (pustules). The skin of these areas peels and flakes (exfoliates).

is a form of photochemotherapy which combines a photosensitizing medication (psoralen) with long wave ultraviolet A light UVA which is known as PUVA. On its own UVA light is usually too week to be an effective treatment in psoriasis, however, when combined with a photosensitiser it becomes very effective for psoriasis and several other skin conditions.