Gout disease symptoms

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis caused by urate crystals in a joint. A flare may begin quickly, with pain so sensitive that light touch or movement is difficult. The skin can look red and feel hot, and the joint may become visibly swollen. The big toe is a familiar site, but gout can affect the ankle, knee, midfoot, fingers or other joints. Symptoms can improve between flares, although urate crystals may remain and cause future inflammation. Not every painful swollen joint is gout.

Note the start time, joint location, skin changes, fever, recent illness, alcohol intake and any new medicine. Rest the joint in a comfortable position and follow a flare treatment plan already prescribed for you. Do not take someone else’s anti-inflammatory medicine, particularly if you have kidney disease, stomach problems or other medicines that may interact. Arrange assessment when the diagnosis has not been confirmed; joint-fluid testing can help distinguish gout from infection or another arthritis.

Seek urgent care for a hot swollen joint with fever, chills, confusion or feeling very unwell. Prompt assessment is also needed for a first severe attack, rapidly spreading redness, inability to use the limb, or pain that is not settling. Joint swelling and knee pain can have causes that require different treatment.

Ask whether your pattern fits gout, whether testing is needed, what to use at the first sign of a flare, and how kidney health affects medicine choices.