Conditions Back ConditionsDrugs & Supplements Back Drugs & SupplementsWell-Being Back Well-BeingMore Back More Privacy & More Subscribe Log In Search Subscribe What Is Gout?Written by Medically Reviewed by Zilpah Sheikh, MD on January 08, 20255 min readIf you manage gout, you likely know the signs of this common inflammatory and when a flare-up is on the way. You can't stop an attack once it starts. But you can take some steps to get relief at home.Warning Signs of a Gout Flare-UpSome people with gout, also known as gouty arthritis, say an attack begins with a burning, itching, or tingling feeling in a joint, often an hour or two before the flare-up starts. The joint may feel a little stiff or a bit sore. Not long after, the telltale signs of quickly begin. If you get repeated attacks, you'll learn to spot these signs.Sometimes, a flare can come on without any warning. You may just wake up in the middle of the night with a very .When the flare starts, most people have redness, swelling, and severe pain, usually in one joint. The most common place for gout is the base of the big toe, but it can happen in other joints such as the elbow, knee, wrist, ankle, and instep.Medicine for Gout Flare-UpsIf your doctor has prescribed gout medicine for a flare-up, take it as directed as soon as you know that an attack is coming. for gout. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help relieve your pain and lower inflammation. Some, such as celecoxib (Celebrex) or indomethacin (Indocin), require prescriptions. Or your doctor may suggest you take over-the-counter NSAIDs, such as naproxen or .Steroids for gout.Depending on your medical history, your doctor may prescribe steroids to reduce You can get steroids as a pill, a shot, or through an IV. Sometimes, your doctor can inject the steroid into your flaring joint — you typically get relief after 24 hours.Preventive gout medications. Colchicine (Colcrys, Gloperba, Mitigare) helps reduce and lower your risk of another gout attack. Colchicine works best if you take it within 24 hours of your first warning sign of a flare-up.Other medications for gout.In some cases, you may already take medicines such as to prevent gout flare-ups. Your doctor may also suggest a medicine to lower your uric acid, which can build up to cause gout attacks.Allopurinol (Lopurin, Zyloprim)Febuxostat (Uloric)Probenecid (Probalan)Pegloticase (Krystexxa) Just because you have a flare doesn't mean your gout medicines aren't working. You may have an attack when you first start gout treatment until your body adjusts to the new drug. Your doctor will likely give you something to take if this happens, too.But if you have been taking a preventive for a long time and are having flares for the first time in a while, call your doctor. They may talk to you about changing your dosage and your gout medicine, or add gout remedies that you can try at home.Home Remedies for a Gout Flare-UpUse cold. If your pain isn't too bad, try cold packs or compresses on your affected joint to lower inflammation and soothe the ache. Wrap ice in a thin towel and apply it to the joint for up to 20 minutes, several times a day. Don't ice your hands or if you have nerve problems from diabetes or other causes. Rest the joint. It's a good idea to rest it until the pain eases up. You probably don't want to move it much anyway. If you can, raise the joint on a pillow or other soft object.Drink water. When your body doesn’t have enough water, your uric acid levels rise even higher. Stay hydrated to help keep those levels down.Watch what you eat and drink. Foods high in substances called , such as some seafood, organ meats such as liver, and fatty foods, can raise the uric acid in your blood and trigger a flare. So can fructose-sweetened drinks and , especially beer.Talk with your doctor before making any changes to your diet so they can help you decide where to start and adjust your gout treatment plan.When to Get Help for a Gout FlareIt's always a good idea to let your doctor know if you're having a flare. Sometimes, you may need to make sure your gout treatment plan is working or adjust your medication if your gout symptoms don't improve. Call your doctor if: This is your first flare-up. There are several other conditions, such as a joint infection, that have some of the same symptoms as gout flares.You have a high fever and chills. symptoms may include a mild fever, but a higher can be a sign of an infection.Your symptoms don't get any better after 48 hours or don't end after about a week. If you don't start to feel somewhat better after a few days, call your doctor. They can suggest a different gout treatment. Most gout attacks will go away by themselves in several weeks, even without treatment.TakeawaysAt the first sign of a gout flare, take your medication right away to lower inflammation as well as the chances of future flare-ups. Drink water, try an ice pack, and elevate your swollen joint for relief. Call your doctor if this is your first flare-up, your fever is high, or your flare is not going away.FAQs for Gout Attacks at HomeIs there a target uric acid level that I should aim for?Most doctors recommend a uric acid level below 6 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL) for gout, but if you have advanced gout or gout tophi, your target may be below 5 mg/dL. Talk with your doctor about the best uric acid target for your gout treatment plan.How can I lower uric acid quickly?The quickest way to lower or minimize uric acid is to follow your gout treatment plan. Take the gout medication prescribed by your doctor as soon as you notice the first gout symptoms. You can also drink plenty of water to help your kidneys flush the uric acid out.Are there common triggers for gout flares?Many conditions can set off a gout attack by causing inflammation or upsetting the uric acid balance inside your body. Common triggers include:Recent hospital stayInjury or trauma to a jointA diet that includes sugary, fatty foods, or alcoholNot getting enough water (dehydration)Medication that changes uric acid levels How do you treat gout in 10 minutes?Gout flare-ups don’t go away after 10 minutes and typically last a few weeks. Take your gout flare medicine to help ease your gout symptoms and lower inflammation. Elevate your swollen joint and cool it with an ice pack to quickly soothe the pain.What is the fastest way to flush out gout?Although you can help your kidneys flush out uric acid by drinking water, the inflammatory reaction inside your joint that causes gout will take time to go away. The fastest way to get relief for your gout symptoms is to follow your treatment plan, take your gout flare medicine, and drink plenty of water.SourcesUpdate HistorySharePrintSOURCES:Rebecca Manno, MD, MHS, assistant professor of medicine, division of rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, New York.Robert T. Keenan, MD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine, division of rheumatology and immunology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC.Scott Zashin, MD, clinical professor of medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School; attending physician, Presbyterian Hospital, Dallas, Texas.Lan Chen, MD, PhD, attending rheumatologist, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Philadelphia, PN.Medscape: “Gout and Pseudogout Treatment & Management.”Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center: “Gout -- Treatments of Gout.”Merck Manual: “Gout.”Arthritis Foundation: “Managing a Gout Flare.”Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology: “The role of diet in hyperuricemia and gout.”Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism: “” “.”UpToDate: “” “,” “,” “,” “”“Gout: Pharmacologic Urate-Lowering Therapy and Treatment of Tophi,” “Pathophysiology of Gout.”Rheumatology (Oxford): “Colchicine: the good, the bad, the ugly and how to minimize the risks.”Mayo Clinic: “.”Cleveland Clinic: “,” “,” “,” “.”Arthritis Care Research: “2020 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the management of gout.”National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: “”Photo Credit: E+/Getty ImagesSharePrintMore on Arthritis Recommended FEATURED Top doctors in , Find more top doctors on Search Related LinksPoliciesAboutFor Advertisers © 2005 - 2025 WebMD LLC, an company. All rights reserved. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. , People can often manage gout with medication and home remedies. Learn about the best home and natural treatments here., Gout causes uric acid build up that forms crystals inside your joint to bring on pain and discomfort. Learn what gout is and how to ease flare ups at WebMD..