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- Gout is a kind of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. Uric acid is a breakdown product of purines that are part of many foods we eat.
- Acute gout attacks are characterized by a rapid onset of pain in the affected joint followed by warmth, swelling, reddish discoloration, and marked tenderness.
- The prevalence of gout in the U.S. has risen over the last twenty years and now affects 8.3 million (4%) Americans. Gout is more common in men than in women and more prevalent in African-American men than white men.
- Obesity, excessive weight gain, especially in youth, moderate to heavy alcohol intake, high blood pressure, diabetes, and abnormal kidney function are among the risk factors for developing gout.
The main symptoms of gout are: sudden severe pain in a joint – usually your big toe, but it can be in other joints in your feet, ankles, hands, wrists, elbows or knees. hot, swollen, red skin over the affected joint – redness may be harder to see on black or brown skin.
- Overview
- Pain
- Swelling
- Skin symptoms
- Pictures of early stage gout symptoms
- When to contact a doctor
- How can I manage or treat early symptoms of gout?
- Frequently asked questions
- Takeaway
The first signs of gout are usually pain, swelling, and redness in the affected joint. Gout often starts in your big toe, and symptoms tend to come on suddenly and at night.
Gout is a painful form of inflammatory arthritis due to the formation of uric acid crystals in your joints. Early stage gout symptoms come on suddenly, often at night, and may take you by surprise.
Gout is characterized by joint pain that some people describe as excruciating. Gout pain often occurs at night. A common early symptom is severe pain in one joint, usually a big toe.
Early stage gout pain can also affect other joints, such as your:
•knee
•ankle
•wrist
•fingers
Early stage gout symptoms usually include significant swelling in the affected joint and surrounding area.
If your big toe is affected, you will most likely have visible swelling on the outside of the toe joint where your toe connects to your foot. The swelling may make it hard for you to bend or move your toe.
Inflammation may cause the skin of the affected joint to look bright red and shiny. Your skin may also be tender and warm or hot to the touch.
In some instances, your skin may become so sensitive that you won’t be able to tolerate anything touching it, including socks or a blanket.
Who’s at risk of gout?
Gout is more common in males than in females. Women are more likely to develop gout postmenopause. Risk factors for gout include: •obesity •high blood pressure •high cholesterol •kidney disease •diabetes •osteoarthritis •psoriasis •taking medications that increase uric acid buildup, like low dose aspirin, diuretics, or niacin •family history of gout •drinking alcohol to excess •eating a high-purine diet of foods such as organ meat •genetic conditions such as Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome and Lesch-Nyhan syndrome Was this helpful?
If you haven’t received a gout diagnosis and think you may be having a flare-up, see a healthcare professional. They can provide a diagnosis and offer treatments for symptoms such as severe pain.
Early stage gout symptoms are similar to those caused by other conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and pseudogout. Treating these conditions requires different types of medication.
If you’re experiencing a gout flare-up, you’ll probably want to get the quickest symptom relief possible and avoid future occurrences. A healthcare professional may prescribe anti-gout agents, such as colchicine, to reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain quickly.
They may also prescribe oral corticosteroids or give you a corticosteroid injection directly in the affected joint.
Other prescription medications, such as allopurinol (Zyloprim, Lopurin) or febuxostat (Uloric), can help reduce uric acid levels.
At-home treatments that may help reduce early gout symptoms include:
•taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
•icing the affected joint to reduce pain and inflammation
What causes gout?
Gout is caused by the formation of tiny, sharp crystals in joints. These crystals result from a buildup of uric acid in the body. Uric acid is a waste product that passes through your blood and kidneys, leaving your body through your urine. Not everyone with uric acid buildup (hyperuricemia) gets gout, but many people do.
How long does gout take to develop?
Gout doesn’t develop quickly, although there’s no specific or set timeframe. Asymptomatic hyperuricemia is the first stage of gout. You can have hyperuricemia for many years without it progressing to the next stage. Most people with asymptomatic hyperuricemia do not go on to get gout at all. But if you have high uric acid levels for an extended period, your chances of gout progressing are higher.
What can be mistaken for gout?
Several conditions may present with similar symptoms to gout. They include: •pseudogout •rheumatoid arthritis •psoriatic arthritis •septic arthritis (joint infection) •cellulitis (bacterial skin infection)
A gout flare-up may come on suddenly and often occurs during sleep. Early symptoms of this condition are pain that gets more severe over several hours, swelling, and redness. Your skin may become warm and very sensitive.
See a healthcare professional if you have a gout flare-up. They can provide a diagnosis and suggest treatment options and lifestyle changes that can help reduce future flares.
- Corey Whelan
- Asymptomatic Gout. The characteristic collection of uric acid crystals in the joint begins with the accumulation of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a natural waste product that is formed when the body breaks down purines.
- Acute Gout. When uric acid levels in the blood become too high, it can seep out and form crystals in the spaces around the joints, causing intense pain and swelling.
- Intercritical or Interval Gout. After your first gout attack(s) you’ll probably experience a time without symptoms until another attack occurs, which could be months or even years.
- Chronic Tophaceous Gout. If uric acid levels are not well controlled during the interval stage, gout may progress to its final and most problematic stage — chronic tophaceous gout.
Nov 18, 2022 · Gout can cause inflammation and pain in the joints of the foot. Learn how to recognize and identify this pain to diagnose and treat gout in the foot.
Mar 6, 2023 · What Are Symptoms of Gout? Several hallmark symptoms typically appear during a gout attack. These include: Sudden, intense pain that often comes on in the middle of the night. Localized swelling in the affected joint. Redness. Heat or warmth. Hypersensitivity around the affected area.
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Jul 25, 2017 · Signs of gout usually come on without warning, often overnight. Symptoms can include: Joint pain: Gout joint pain is often intense. It’s most severe within the first 12 hours of the onset...
