Dermatitis-Ltd III

Glossary: P

A | B | C| D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

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

Palmar Dermatitis: affects the backs of the hands, the palms or both sites. Often it starts as a mild intermittent complaint, but it can become increasingly severe and persistent. The affected skin initially becomes red and dry, then progresses to itchy papules (bumps) and fluid-filled blisters (vesicles), scaling, cracking (fissures), weeping (exudation) and swelling (oedema). Bacterial infection can result in pustules, crusting and pain. Longstanding 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 of the palms, of the hands and the soles of the feet, characterized by 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 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

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

Pediamycin®: Oral antibiotic used to treat 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 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 shows more 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, there are usually 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 dermatitis: allergic contact dermatitis 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: 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 superficial skin eruptions around hair follicles also called acne vulgaris and/or cystic acne.

Pityriasis Rosea: 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 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 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 shows more peeling, cracking, or crusting.

Prednicarbate: emollient cream0.1% 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 dermatitis: dermatitis 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.

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 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.

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

Pustular psoriasis: psoriasis characterized by 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 are the yellowish topped small, pus-filled lesions that adolescents are notorious for picking and squeezing.

NEXT...