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Acupuncture - The treatment of pain or disease by the insertion of needles into specific points of the skin for remedial purposes.

Acute - A health effect that develops suddenly after initial exposure.

Alternative Medicine - Any number of therapeutic health care practices that are not generally accepted by the medical community. Alternative treatments for psoriasis may include acupuncture, cryotherapy, homeopathy, and herbal medicine.

Amino Acid - An organic compound containing amino groups, (NH2), (COOH), and any of various side groups, that link together by peptide bonds to form a protein that functions as a chemical messenger and intermediates in metabolism.

Anesthetics - A Substance that causes the skin or a certain part of the body to become numb and pain free. Local anesthetics numb a specific (local) area of the body, while general anesthetics cause the person to fall asleep.

Anthralin - A topical agent that is commonly used to treat stubborn cases of psoriasis. Anthralin helps to slow down the rapid rate of cell production found in those with psoriasis. It is available in cream and ointment forms.

Antibodies - Blood proteins, produced by the bodys immune system, that help fight infection.

Anti-inflammatory - A medical agent used to reduce inflammation caused by infection or disease.

Antimalarial - Drugs that were originally developed to treat malaria. It was later discovered that they are effective in the treatment of lupus, an autoimmune disease which causes inflammation of the skin, joints, kidneys and other parts of the body. Antimalarials include quinacrine and Hydroxychloroquine, among others. The use of quinacrine can cause a flare up of psoriasis.

Antipruritic - An agent used to relieve itching such as that caused by certain skin conditions.

Arginine - A nonessential amino acid that becomes essential when the body experiences stress or injury. Arginine heightens the immune response by making infection fighting lymphocytes. It promotes wound healing, facilitates hormone production, and is essential for muscle growth and tissue repair.

Atopic - Describing a condition in which there is an inherited tendency to develop extra sensitivity to certain allergens.

Atrophic Skin - Skin that has lost its initial form due to disease, injury, or lack of use. The skin usually will be very thin and wrinkled. Long term use of topical corticosteroids can also produce this affect.

Autoantibodies - Antibodies produced by the body that attack host cells instead of reacting with bacteria, or viruses invading the body.

Autoimmune Disease - A disorder of the immune system in which the immune system sends antibodies to attack a person's own tissues.