Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis. If you have an attack of gout, it tends to strike first in your big toe. However, gout can also affect other joints in your feet and joints elsewhere in your body, typically your ankle, knee, wrist or finger.
Multiple joints can be affected during an attack of gout, but it’s most common in the joints at the ends of limbs, for example in the feet and fingers.
You usually get severe pain and the affected joint may swell up and become red and hot. The pain often starts during the night and builds quickly.
Gout is far more common in men than women, and is more common as you get older.
A build-up of uric acid causes gout in the soft tissue (cartilage) at the end of bones. The uric acid forms crystals, and if there are too many of these they may burst out of the tissue and fill the space between bones (your joint). They can cause friction around the joint and tissue which can, in turn, cause pain and swelling.
Uric acid is found in your blood naturally and is waste from the breakdown of a chemical called purine. Purines are present in certain food and drink, such as red meat, seafood and alcoholic beverages, especially beer.
Uric acid usually leaves your body via your pee, but if your body produces too much of it or your kidneys can’t get rid of it properly, then the uric acid in your blood will form into crystals. These may then settle near your joints.
is most likely to affect your big toe, as it’s at the end of a limb and a part of your body that’s colder or more affected by temperature changes. Uric acid crystals are more likely to form in the parts of your body that are colder. It’s for this reason that gout may also strike in your finger.There are a range of factors that may increase your risk of developing gout. These include:
An attack of gout will usually last for between 3 and 10 days, after which your symptoms — pain, redness and swelling around the joint — should pass.
However, you’re likely to have more attacks in the future so it’s important to see a doctor for proper treatment.
If you have an attack of gout, you should:
If you think you’ve had a gout attack and never experienced it before, see a doctor. They should be able to make a diagnosis and rule out other possible causes for your symptoms.
If you have gout, a doctor may prescribe medications to help relieve swelling and inflammation, such as
(NSAIDs), or colchicine. These can be used to help ease symptoms during an attack of gout, but you should get further guidance from a doctor before taking any of these medications.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets or capsules (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, should be taken for no more than a week to 10 days at a time, unless you've spoken to a doctor. If you use a gel, mousse or spray form of the medication, don't use this for more than 2 weeks without talking to a doctor.
Take oral NSAIDs with food or a drink of milk to reduce the risk of irritating your stomach.
You should also talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking NSAIDs if you’ve ever had:
People with the following conditions should also talk to a doctor before taking these medications:
You should avoid NSAIDs if you’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant or have high blood pressure.
Your doctor may also prescribe you medications to protect your stomach if you’re over the age of 65.
You shouldn’t take these NSAIDs if you’re allergic to them, or you have experienced allergic symptoms like wheezing or skin reactions after taking another medication from this group.
You should call a doctor or ambulance immediately if you've taken more than the maximum dose of NSAIDs or if you experience any of the following side effects:
Please see a doctor before taking these medicines and get a prescription, if required.
A doctor may also encourage you to make
to help reduce your risk of further attacks. This may include:If you have an attack of gout and you have had one before, take your medication as prescribed by a doctor — or make an appointment if you’re worried.
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.