Top 10 Books on Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease and many experts believe that eating the right types of food is crucial for successful management and prevention. “Inflammation Nation: The First Clinically Proven Eating Plan to End Our Nation's Secret Epidemic,” by Dr. Floyd H. Chilton, Ph.D. with Laura Tuckers, explains the science behind the theory in layman’s terms and offers a range of recipe options.

While there’s still little scientific evidence linking leaky gut syndrome (deterioration of the gut wall) to any specific disease, some alternative and integrative health practitioners believe that a leak in the gut can trigger an autoimmune response, such as psoriasis. “Eat Dirt: Why Leaky Gut May Be the Root Cause of Your Health Problems and 5 Surprising Steps to Cure It,” by Josh Axe, D.N.M., D.C., C.N.S., looks at the causes and effects and provides tips to restore gut health.

For those keen to explore a natural, drug-free treatment regimen for psoriasis, leading researcher John O. A. Pagano, D.C.’s “Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative” is a good place to start. This bestseller includes case histories and impressive before-and-after photos, as well as clear, step-by-step guide to managing psoriasis with diet and detoxification, backed up by Dr. Pagano’s 40 years of experience studying and treating the disease.

A great accompaniment to Dr. Pagano’s “Healing Psoriasis: The Natural Alternative” is his cookbook, “Dr. John's Healing Psoriasis Cookbook”. However, with a comprehensive overview of Dr. Pagano’s drug-free regimen, the cookbook stands alone as a great psoriasis resource. There are more than 300 tried-and-tested, easy-to-follow recipes, covering soups, salads, sauces, meat-based and vegetarian dishes.

Leading NYC dermatologist Bobby Buka, author of “Buka’s Emergencies in Dermatology,” finds it just as useful to understand the more personal side of psoriasis and how it affects life and confidence. Dr. Buka recommends “Self-Consciousness: Memoirs” by John Updike, which details Updike’s own struggle with psoriasis. The chapter “At War With My Skin” is devoted to the ailment specifically. “As can be expected from a writer of Updike’s talent and renown, it is a great read that I highly recommend,” said Dr. Buka.

Psoriasis is a complex disease that goes so much deeper than what the scaly patches that on the surface of the skin. If you’re keen to explore the theory that it is a condition that begins inside the body, “Perfect Digestion” by renowned alternative medicine experts and bestselling author Deepak Chopra, M.D., suggests ways to boost the digestive system using the principles of Ayurveda, an ancient Vedanta philosophy.

Reading about another person’s experience with psoriasis can often be the best medicine. In “Psoriasis Healing from the Inside Out,” Heather J. Ferris shares her personal experiences with psoriasis since it first presented in 1963, as well as practical techniques for managing psoriasis through self-care and an internal rebalance.

If you’re interested in a more clinical take on psoriasis, Dr. Buka recommends “Handbook of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis,” by Alan Menter and Richard Warren. “Like any good handbook, it is concise and well-researched, clinical but great,” said Dr. Buka. This handbook provides an overview of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and looks at clinical presentation, diagnosis, current and emerging treatment options, and quality of life issues associated with the conditions.

“The Autoimmune Solution: Prevent and Reverse the Full Spectrum of Inflammatory Symptoms and Diseases” by Amy Myers, M.D., is an Amazon number-one bestselling book in immunology. Dr. Myers, a leading expert in the prevention and treatment of autoimmune conditions, offers an easy-to-follow, long-term health plan based on her own experience with the autoimmune disease Graves’ disease and backed by science and real-life examples.

If you have psoriatic arthritis, a form of arthritis that develops in about 15 percent of people with psoriasis, you may be interested in Trevor England’s story, “How I'm Beating Psoriatic Arthritis.” England begins his story with his initial symptoms and diagnosis, and goes on to share his experiences with different treatments and side effects, with the aim of encouraging other psoriasis arthritis patients to live their lives to the fullest.