Alnovat psoriasis lexicon

From A for antibodies to U for urea, we have compiled all the relevant technical and medical terms concerning psoriasis and explained them in plain language below.

So that you always know what they mean when your condition is discussed.

Is there a word missing? Contact us at dialog@alnovat.com and we will add it to our lexicon for you.

A

Active treatment:

A term used for the specimen (medical device/drug) being tested, which is administered to test subjects in a medical study to verify its effect.

Antibodies:

Antibodies are protein molecules produced by the body to fight off diseases and foreign substances. Foreign substances can also include viruses or bacteria that affect the body’s immune system. Artificial antibodies are used in medicine, for example to detect and deactivate inflammatory processes.

Autoimmune disease:

An autoimmune disease is when the body’s defenses attack or destroy the body’s own tissues. Normally, the immune system fights invaders (viruses, bacteria etc.) with the help of our natural defenses and can recognize the body’s own structures as not being harmful.

An autoimmune disease can cause the body’s own structures to also be attacked by the immune system.

B

Balneo-phototherapy:

A form of light therapy in special bathtubs that uses special light sources for therapy while you are bathing.

Betamethasone:

A synthetic cortisone derivate (glucocorticoid). It is used in the form of creams and ointments, for example, to treat psoriasis. The active ingredient helps to inhibit inflammation, has an anti-allergic effect, and suppresses the immune system.

Biologics:

Drugs/medications made from living organisms using biotechnology. These are often complex protein molecules that cannot be manufactured chemically. Biologics can dock with the body’s own proteins in a targeted manner, modify these proteins and thus prevent or treat diseases. There are vaccines and also medications that disable specific inflammatory processes such as inflammation caused by psoriasis.

Biosimilars:

Biosimilars are products that imitate biologics. They are similar to the original product with a similar effect, but they are not identical to the original. They are manufactured using biotechnology.

The manufacture of original products and biosimilars is the same in principle. The end products may be different, but they have the same effect.

C

Calcipotriol:

A synthetic active ingredient for the treatment of psoriasis.

Calcipotriol belongs to the group of vitamin D3 derivatives. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is applied externally.

Cell regeneration:

Cell regeneration or cell renewal refers to the constant renewal of our cells, and specifically skin cells in this case. The ability to renew our cells decreases as we age. In people with psoriasis, cell renewal is disturbed at the affect areas i.e. there is excessively fast cell regeneration. The resulting accumulation of old skin cells is what causes scaling.

Chronic inflammation:

Inflammation is the body's natural defense mechanism in response to a harmful stimulus, which may be external or internal. The body tries to heal the harmful stimulus by triggering inflammation. If the inflammation lasts a long time, or if it happens again and again, it is called chronic inflammation.

Chronic-recurrent:

The term CHRONIC-RECURRENT is used to characterize diseases that are long-lasting (chronic), show improvement occasionally, but return at times (recurrent).

Climatotherapy:

A therapy for skin conditions in a place where, thanks to the climatic conditions, an improvement in the skin symptoms can be achieved. For many psoriasis patients, a stay at the Dead Sea has proven useful. The combination of warmth, sunlight, and salt water leads to improvement and regeneration of the skin.

Comorbidities / concomitant diseases:

A term for when, in addition to the primary disease, there are one or more other diseases that affect the body together with the underlying condition.

Cortisone preparation:

A drug with the active ingredient cortisone, from the group of glucocorticoids. For skin conditions, cortisone is applied externally (topical use) in the form of creams or ointments. The active ingredient has an anti-inflammatory effect and influences the immune system to improve and/or heal the skin structure.

D

Dermatologist:

A physician specializing in skin conditions, a skin specialist.

Dermis:

The middle, thick skin layer. It protects the body from external influences and irritants. The dermis also supplies the epidermis with nutrients and moisture. Waste products from inside the body are also transported outwards via the dermis and excreted. Therefore, an intact dermis is important for the body.

Dermatological:

Related to the skin.

Desquamation:

Latin for scaling. The process of shedding the top layer of skin (skin flakes and horny layer) and the formation of new skin scales.

Dithranol:

A pharmaceutical agent used as a local therapy for psoriasis (external application on affected areas of skin).

Dithranol reduces scaling and helps cell production return to normal.

Double-blind study:

A Double-blind study is a randomized, controlled study in which neither the investigator (the physician in clinical studies) nor the study participants (patients) know to which group the study participants have been assigned (the control group or the experimental group). Double-blind studies help to prevent bias in the study results. In placebo-controlled clinical studies on the efficacy of a medication, neither the physician nor the patient know who will be given the drug and who will receive the placebo.

E

Emollient:

A moisturizing ingredient in skin care products. Using an emollient helps the skin store moisture and protects the skin from environmental influences.

Epidermis:

The epidermis is the uppermost of the three skin layers. It essentially serves as an outer protective layer against external influences. This layer mainly consists of a horny layer (stratum corneum), which continually makes new skin cells and sheds them from its surface. As old horny layer cells are always being shed and new ones produced, the skin is constantly undergoing a renewal process.

Erythema:

Reddened skin triggered by increased perfusion, which may be caused by inflammation.

Erythematosquamous skin:

Reddened skin that sheds skin flakes due to an increased production of scales. 

Erythroderma:

If all the skin on the body is red, this is called erythroderma. Psoriatic erythroderma is a severe form of psoriasis that occurs rarely.

F

Free radicals:

Reactive molecules that form in the environment, e.g. due to the natural  UV light in sunlight. They can disturb the skin’s natural protective layer, accelerate skin aging, and increase the risk of developing a skin condition.  

Fumaric acid preparations:

Drugs with the active ingredient fumaric acid. These preparations are used as (internal) systemic therapies and they influence the body’s immune system. As a psoriasis therapy, fumaric acid has an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect.  It also inhibits uncontrolled skin scaling.

G

Gold standard:

The medical term for a product or treatment that has been proven scientifically and is considered the standard therapy.

Guttate psoriasis:

A special form of psoriasis. Small, red droplet-shaped patches appear on the skin. This rare condition is usually triggered by an infection.

H

Hyperkeratosis:

Hyperkeratosis is the excessive formation of horny layer skin cell and scales. This leads to thickening of the horny layer, the uppermost layer of skin. 

I

Immunomodulator:

The name for active pharmaceutical ingredients or physical stimuli that affect the body’s defense system. They are used to improve or strengthen the immune system.

Immunological effect:

Influencing the body’s protection and defense systems with an active ingredient, and the body’s response to this.

Immunosuppressants:

Drugs containing active ingredients that influence and suppress the immune system.

Immune system:

The body’s protection and defense system against external and internal influences. 

If pathogens invade the body, the body tries to fend them off through a complex system of cells and messenger substances. If the immune system is impaired, the body’s defense system can’t function correctly and chronic inflammation may occur.

Infection:

If microorganisms (e.g. viruses or bacteria) invade the body and multiply in the body, this is called an infection.

This can lead to a variety of diseases with widely differing degrees of severity.

Inflammation:

Inflammation is the body's natural defense mechanism in response to a harmful stimulus, which may be external or internal. The body tries to heal the harmful stimulus by triggering inflammation. When the skin is inflamed, it is often red, very warm, swollen, and painful. If the cause of the inflammation is successfully combated by the body, the inflammation disappears again. If the inflammation continues a long time, it is called chronic inflammation.

In vivo:

The term IN VIVO means “within the living” and characterizes reactions or processes that take place in a living organism under physiological conditions. Phase II and phase III clinical drug trials are carried out in vivo.

Inverse psoriasis:

A special form of psoriasis in which the skin changes caused by psoriasis only occur in skin folds (e.g. inside the elbow or the back of the knee).

K

Keratinocytes:

Cells in the epidermis that form the keratin for skin scales. They aid skin regeneration and thus help wounds in the skin to close, for example. With psoriasis, the formation of skin scales is accelerated to such an extent that too many scales are formed in a short space of time and can’t be shed quickly enough.

Köbner phenomenon:

In some people, psoriasis can be triggered by bumps, scratches, or other environmental influences on the skin. The phenomenon was reported and described for the first time by the dermatologist Heinrich Köbner. 

L

Light therapy:

Physical treatment method for skin conditions.

During light therapy, the skin is exposed to special light (UV-A or UV-B light). See the entry for phototherapy.

Local therapy:

External application on affected areas of skin, also called topical therapy.

M

Medical devices:

Products that serve a medical purpose.

Medical devices act purely physically and do not have a pharmacological, metabolic, or immunological effect because they do not deploy a drug effect. They are used to treat or diagnose diseases. Manufacturers of medical devices are obliged to go through a certification process proving that a device meets the legal requirements and can be used safely. The certification must also be maintained. Medical devices have a CE marking, which is applied to the device and packaging. Medical devices are subject to constant monitoring and an assessment procedure, which are set out in uniform European legislation in the Medical Devices Act and Medical Devices Directive.

Metabolic effect:

Influencing the biological metabolism by means of an active ingredient, and the body’s response to this. 

Mechanism of action / mode of action:

In medicine, the targeted interaction of a preparation or treatment method (including physical treatments) with the body is called the mechanism of action / mode of action. It provides the scientific explanation for a specific treatment effect.

N

Nail psoriasis:

A particular type of psoriasis. Nail psoriasis causes changes to the fingernails and/or toenails, and they may even be destroyed in advanced cases.

Notified body:

Inspecting authorities appointed and supervised by the government, which check that trials comply with European legal requirements for products. Manufacturers of medical devices must prove to the notified body that their products meet the legal requirements and that the manufacturer has a quality management system in order to guarantee the production of safe medical devices. The manufacturer receives certificates from the notified body, which serve as proof that the manufacturer fulfills all the requirements.

O

Occlusion:

In the field of skin care, occlusion is when a care product forms a protective layer on the skin to protect it from drying out and/or against external influences. Occlusion can also be achieved by, for example, using airtight plasters or wearing gloves.

P

Pasi:

Index used to evaluate the severity (PASI score) of psoriasis. The PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) is the most commonly used index for clinical evaluation and classification of severity. It is often used in clinical

studies to evaluate efficacy. The PASI is standardized and a PASI score is determined before and after a treatment so that the percentage improvement brought about by the treatment can be measured and assessed. 

Pharmacological active ingredient:

The term for an active ingredient that has a medical effect on the body. The scientific field of pharmacology concerns the effect of pharmaceutical substances on the body.

Physical therapy:

Treatments that use physical methods. Physical therapies involve using external stimuli, e.g. in the form of warmth, cold, or pressure, to have an effect on the body, which brings about the body’s natural reaction. A physical treatment method for psoriasis is phototherapy.  

Physical effect:

A medical term for treatments or therapies that are purely physical in nature. The mechanism of action is entirely physical and not based on pharmacological effects.

Phototherapy:

A physical form of therapy for the treatment of skin conditions.

During phototherapy, patients are exposed to blue light of a specific wavelength. It is a light therapy intended to inhibit inflammatory processes and itchiness. The idea behind the therapy is that it has a positive effect on the skin’s regenerative behavior and strengthens the immune system. 

Placebo:

The term for a “dummy” medication that looks like an existing preparation or one that is being tested. Placebos should not have any effect and therefore do not contain any active ingredients. They are often used in clinical studies to compare the efficacy of new preparations.

Plaque:

In relation to psoriasis, plaques refer to localized areas of the skin covered in a layer of silvery-white scales. These areas of skin are often red and have a thick horny layer.

Plaque psoriasis:

The most common type of psoriasis. In cases of plaque psoriasis, characteristic skin changes occur in the form of thick horny layers (plaques).

Pruritus:

Latin for itching, itchiness. Pruritus is triggered by a skin reaction which causes the skin to feel uncomfortable and makes the sufferer feel the urge to scratch. 

Psoriasis:

A chronic inflammatory skin condition that often occurs due to a genetic predisposition. Psoriasis causes very scaly and inflamed skin. The skin is usually red and very itchy. The condition is not contagious. It usually occurs in episodes (flare-ups) and is often accompanied by a great deal of psychological strain.

Psoriatic arthritis:

A form of psoriasis with chronic inflammation of the joints in addition to the typical psoriasis symptoms.

It is a type of rheumatic disease and can develop in people who already have plaque psoriasis. 

Pustular psoriasis:

A rare type of psoriasis in which small blisters (pustules) form on the inflamed skin. This type of psoriasis can often be found on the hands and feet. 

Pustular psoriasis: 

Name of the most common type of psoriasis (plaque psoriasis). In cases of plaque psoriasis, characteristic skin changes occur in the form of thick horny layers (plaques).

Puva:

A special form of psoriasis therapy. It is a form of light therapy in which the skin is treated with a photosensitizer (psoralen) and then exposed to UV-A light.  PUVA is intended to make the light therapy more effective.

R

Randomized:

A procedure used to allocate test subjects and test products randomly to different groups in a study.

Randomized double-blind study:

Term used to describe the most sophisticated of the clinical trials that are used to evaluate treatments. In this type of study, neither the treating physician nor the patient knows which preparation the patient received during the study. This ensures that the effects of treatment are analyzed in the most accurate and neutral way possible, without any external influences.  

S

Scaling: 

Latin: Desquamation. The name for the process of shedding the top layer of skin (skin flakes and horny layer) and the formation of new skin scales.

Skin irritation:

Reddened, burning or itchy skin reaction due to an external influence. Skin irritation can occur, for example, on areas of sensitive and/or dry skin. Skin conditions can make skin irritation more likely.

Systemic disease:

Denotes a disease that doesn’t only occur locally, but can affect other parts of the body. A systemic illness can affect all the organ systems of the body and lead to health impairments. 

Systemic therapy:

A form of therapy that involves administering medications that work internally. This usually means active ingredients in the form of tablets or injections.

T

Tazarotene:

A pharmaceutical substance of the retinoids family, which can be used for the external treatment of psoriasis.

Topical / local therapy:

This form of psoriasis therapy involves the external application of preparations on the areas of skin affected by psoriasis. It is most commonly administered as creams and ointments.

Transepidermal:

TRANSEPIDERMAL means “through the epidermis”.

Trigger:

A factor that causes the onset of a disease or leads to a flare-up.

U

Urea:

Urea is found is lots of creams, ointments, and lotions for the care of dry and cracked skin, e.g. due to psoriasis. Urea remains in the top layer of skin and seals in moisture. This keeps the skin moist and more supple.

V

Vitamin d derivatives:

A similar, synthetic form (derivative) of vitamin D. It is used as an external treatment (topical application/local therapy) for psoriasis.

Vitamin d analogues:

Synthetic derivatives of vitamin D. The active ingredient is used in creams and ointments for the topical treatment of psoriasis. The most important vitamin D analogues are: calcipotriol, calcitriol, and tacalcitol

W

Z

The Alnovat psoriasis lexicon should help you to understand psoriasis and to live well with this condition. Here you can find all the most important technical terms from A for autoimmune disease to U for urea. 

We have explained psoriasis medical terms (pustular, plaque, and psoriatic arthritis), and everything to do with the skin (epidermis, dermis, and free radicals), and treatments options (biologics, vitamin D derivatives, and topical therapy) in the glossary.

If you have specific questions, for example, what you can do to treat psoriasis on your hand or elbows, have a look here. 

Read and find out what our users have written. Sometimes a picture can paint a thousand words.

In our blog you will find interesting facts about living with psoriasis. Here you can find a short explanation of why Alnovat is recommended as an effective, well-tolerated, and natural alternative for psoriasis.