Types of Gout: What to Know

An acute flare often starts quickly with intense joint pain, warmth, redness, and swelling. The big toe is a familiar site, but gout can also affect the ankle, knee, foot, wrist, or another joint. [Joint Pain](/symptoms/joint-pain/) and [Joint Swelling](/symptoms/joint-swelling/) have many causes, so symptoms alone cannot confirm gout.

Some people have symptom-free periods between flares. Repeated inflammation can lead to persistent joint symptoms and deposits called tophi under the skin or around joints. Uric acid handling is influenced by the kidneys; [Chronic Kidney Disease](/conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/) can be relevant when a clinician assesses gout. Body weight and metabolic health may also be part of the discussion, including [Obesity](/conditions/obesity/).

Record when the pain began, which joint is affected, how quickly swelling developed, and whether previous episodes settled. A clinician may examine the joint, check blood tests, or take fluid from the joint to look for crystals and exclude infection. Do not start, stop, or change gout medicine without advice. The [Gout](/conditions/gout/) page explains the condition more broadly.

A hot, swollen, very painful joint needs prompt medical assessment, particularly when the diagnosis is new. Fever, chills, feeling very unwell, rapidly spreading redness, or pain that is escalating can also occur with joint infection, which requires urgent treatment. Swelling around the [Ankle](/symptoms/ankle-swelling/) or [Knee](/symptoms/knee-swelling/) should be assessed when severe or new.

Ask whether your symptoms fit gout or another cause of joint inflammation, whether joint fluid or blood testing is needed, and what to do during a flare. Discuss kidney function, current medicines, diet and alcohol triggers, and a plan to reduce future attacks if gout is confirmed.